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RHODE ISLAND 



Excursion to Gettysburg, 



OCTOBER, 1886. 



RECORD 



RlIODl: ISLAND HXCIIRSION 



GETrYSBURG, 

October 11-16, 1886, 

WITH THE 

dei)k:at()ry services of the ba r tlefiei-d me- 
morials OF THE SEC:ONl) RHODE ISLAND 
VOLUNTEERS, AND BATTERIES A 
AND B, FIRST R. 1. LIGHT 
ARTILLERY. 



EDITED BY 

HORATIO ROOERS, 

M 

LATE COLONEL SECOND R. I. VOLS. AND BVT. BRIG. GEN'L U. S. V.; CHAIRiMAN OF EX- 
CURSION COMMITTEE. 



PROVIDENCE, R. I. 

E. L. KREEMAN A; SON, STATE PRINTERS. 

I S87 . 



4 KUUDi: ISLAND KXCLUSION TO (n.lTYSlU'KCi. 

The pei-fions named in tlie resolution were appointed com- 
niittt'cs l»y their respective Associations at the reunions held 
in tin- suuinn-i- c»f 18S/), to procui-c suitable memorials and 
cause tlu in to l)e erected on the hattlefield of Gettysburg, and 
bel'oi-e tlu- end of June, 1880, all the memorials had been 
placed in jiosition ready for dedication. That of the Second 
Rhode Island Volunteers cost one thousand dollars, the As- 
sociation having added five hundi'cd dollars to the amount 
appropriated by the State, while the three batteries limited 
tlie cost of their memorials to the amount of the State appro- 
jiriation. 'I'hose of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers and 
Uatteries A and E, were designed and constructed by the 
Smith (Jrauite Comjiany of Westerly, but that of Battery B 
was tlie woikmanship of John Flaherty of Niantic. 

The memorial of the Second Khode Island Volunteers is 
eight feet six inches high, and consists of a square monument 
of Westt-rly granite, simjile in form, with sharj), well-defined 
outlines, supporting a bronze grouj* of military devices. The 
ground base is four and a half feet square and eighteen inches 
high, with a i-ough quarried surface, while all the other sui-- 
faces are fine hammered. The second base, which is three 
feet ten inches square and one foot eight inches high, has a 
deep wash or sloping surface from its upper edge or junction 
with the die or jirincipal stone. In bold relief on the front 
of this base is the Sixth Cor|)s badge and this sunken inscrip- 
tion, " .Iidy i! and o, 18(J3." 'J'iu' jiiain massive die, which is 
two feet ten inches square and three feet eight inches high, is 
oidy relieved on its front liy a circular suidcen disk coutain- 
imr the carved ami pnlislied arms of the State of Rhode Island, 
aliove whieli arc the words " ilnd R. 1. \'ohinleers,'" and beldw, 
" Sec«»nd IJrigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps." Upon the 
die rests a |)ointe(l eajtstone, and the wliole is crowned by a 
groiij) of war devices in l»ron/.e, forming the most striking 
feature of the memorial ami representing, in full size, a drum, 
on which at llie riiiht rests a belt, a cartridge box, a liavonet 
Hcabbard and a canteen, w itb a cap (ju tlie toji, near the front 
edge of the dinm. and a larj^e laurel wreath leaning against 



KtlODE ISLAND KXCUKSION TO OKTTVSHL'IIG. 5 

it on the left. This memorial is located at the northeasterly 
base of Little Round Top upon the easterly side of what is 
now Battle Avenue, and near the entrance of what is now 
termed Little Round Top Park — it being on or close by the 
spot where the Second Rhode Island first went into line of 
battle and where it passed the night of July 2d, 1863. 

The memorial of IJattery A is also executed in selected 
Westerly granite, the perpendicular face of the lower base 
being left rough, while all the rest is finished in fine ham- 
mered work. The lowei* base is four and a half feet sfjuare, 
the second base three and a half feet, the die two feet ten 
inches at bottom and two feet eight inches at top, the total 
height, including capstone, being seven feet nine inches. The 
front of the die is covered with a raised and polished design 
representing the arms of the State of Rhode Island grouped 
with a gun, a wheel and crossed sponge staffs, all of about 
half size. The inscription in sunken letters on the front is 
"Arnold's Battery, July 2 and 3, 1863"; on the right, "Bat- 
tery A, First R. I. L. A., Artillery Brigade, Second Corps"; 
on the left, "Four Killed, Twenty -four Wounded." The cap 
stone, which is perpendicular in front and rear, and with a 
wash showing at the sides, is terminated with a heavy trefoil 
cresting, the end view or cross section of which, as seen at 
front and rear, where it slightly projects, forms the outline 
of the badge of the Second Corps, to which the battery was 
attached. 

The memorial of Battery A is about a hundred yards north 
of that of Battery B, both being upon Battle Avenue, the for- 
mer on the west side and the latter on the east. Both me- 
morials stand upon ground occupied by the respective batteries 
during the third day's fight as well as very near the spots 
occupied during the second day's fight, and both are close by 
the angle and the famous clump of little trees which the Con- 
federate Gen. Pickett took as the point of direction in his 
desperate charge of July 3d. 

The memorial of Battery B is composed of seven pieces of 
Westerly granite weighing four and a half tons, and is nine 



C I'll.. Id l-l \\l) i:xt TIJSION TO <; KTTYSr.l'RO. 

and a luill icct lu-li. It is square in form, the base being 
liftt-en inches tleo]) and three feet eight inches square, and the 
lini^h is a cunilMnalion of -'rustic" — that is, giving the ap- 
pearance of roughly-hewn natural rock — and hammered work, 
the capsti)ne being hammered. The whole is sui'mounted by a 
jrranite representation of a cannon iiall. The die bears the 
Second Cor|>s badge and the inscription, " Brown's Battery B, 
thirst 11. I. Light Artillery, Second Brigade, Second Corps, 
Army of the Potonnic." 

The memorial of Battery E is located on the easterly side 
of the Emmettsbnrg Road just northcnly of Sherfy's Peach 
Orchard, that battery having lieen in the Third Cori)S and 
actively engaged with it on tliat part of the field in the second 
day's light. As, however, this memorial was dedicated July 
;5d, 18S6, at the time of the Third Cor[)s Reunion, its dedica- 
tion foiined no feature of the Rhode Island Excursion to Cxot- 
tysburg, hence no further mention of it will be made here. 

At the reunions in the summer of 1886, of the several As- 
sociations, other than BattciT E, having memorials at Gettys- 
bnig, connnittees were appointed to airange for an excursion 
to ijedicate the men)ori;ils and to visit the various points of 
interest on the Italtlelield. The committees thns appointed 
united and formed a single Excursion Committee, its members 
being Gen. Horatio Rogers, Gen. Elisha II. Rhodes and Lieut. 
Amos M. liowen of the 2d R. 1. Vols., Capt. Benj. H. Child of 
Battery A, 1st R. I. L. A.. :ind D. Coit Taylor and Capt.Gideon 
Spencer of Battery B, 1st R. 1. L. A. Gen. Rogers was ap- 
pointed chairman, and Mr. Taylor secietary. An excni'sion 
was organized to visit Gettysbui-g in <)ctoliei', 188(3, and all 
dispensed to join it were invited to d»j so. Though the Chair- 
man of the K\cui-sion was to presiih; at all the dedicatory 
sorvicCH, yet niherw ise the committee of each Association was 
to arrange and carry out the pidgramme at its own memoi'ial. 
Tiie ih'tails of tlie excursion will best be shown by the follow- 
ing (rirculars issued by a Sub-Committee or by the Mxcursion 
Munaircr. 



RIIOUK ISLAND KXOUHSION TO (jKTTYSBUK(J. 4 

RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

Providknck, September 16, 1880. 

Tlie undersigiUHl, representing the Committee of tlie Second 
Rhode Lshind Volnnteers and Butteries A and B, Rhode Ishmd 
Light Artillery, annonuce the folhjwing in relation to the proposed 
excursion to the Battle-field of Gettysburg. 

The fare from Providence to Gettysburg and return, via New 
York and Harrisburg, $12.00; the hotel rates at Gettysburg as 
follows: McClellan House, $1.50 per day; Eagle Hotel, $2.00 
per day. 

The Excursion will leave Providence, via Stoningtou Line, 
Monday, October 11, arriving at Gettysburg, Tuesday, at 6 p.m. ; 
leave Gettysburg, Friday, at 4.45 a. m., arriving iu New York at 
2 p.m. 

Meals going and returning and rides about the Battle-field will 
be extra. 

It is important that the committee be informed immediately if 
you intend to take the trip, as they are obliged to guarantee the 
sale of fifty tickets in order to secure the above rates. Please fill 
out and return the enclosed postal card without delay, writing 
your name, address and number of tickets you require. Further 
information will be sent to those agreeing to go. This excursion 
will include citizens and ladies at the same rate as for the Veterans. 

E. H. Rhodes, 2d R. I. Vols., "] 

Benjamin H. Child, Battery A, R. I. L. A., V Committee. 

D. CoiT Taylor, Battery B, R. I. L. A., ) 



RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

Providence, October 4, 1886. 

The following is announced for the information of those in- 
tending to join the excursion : 

The party will leave Providence, Monday, October 11, at 7.15 
p. m. , via Stonington Line ; leave Gettysburg, Thursday, Octo- 
ber 14, at 5.20 p. ra., and pass the night in Harrisburg. By 
presenting your Excursion Ticket at the Ticket Office iu Harris- 



S i;il<>|>|, IM.AMt K.\i I l;<|i>N |(t (iKri'VSr.UKG. 

hurj; yon can puivliasc' :i Tk-kfl U\>\n II:iiTisl)iirg to Wasliiugtou 
and ivlinn for ><") (K». 

The i-i'luni ticlu-l fioiii Ilairislnug to New York will be good 
nntil midniglil, Tliuisday, Octol)t'r 21st; the ticket from New 
York lu rrovideiK-e will be good until October oOth. You can 
slop (tviT at riiiladelphia if you wish. 

Tiekets will Ite for sale on and after October 7, at Ticket Office 
of N. v.. H. »fc r. U. l\. Passenger Station, PLxchange Place, 
Provitk-nce, i)riee 612.00; State Room Tickets for Monday night 
can be purchased from the undersigned at City Hall, Providence, 
on Saturtlay and Monday, October 9th and 11th, from 12 to 2 
p. m. 

Additional Printtnl Information will be distributed ou the train 
from Providence, Monday Evening. 

Procure your ticki'ts early. 

K. II. KIIODES, Excursion Manager. 



RnoDi!: Island Exgursiom to GETTYSBURa, Peinm., 

O C '±^ O 13 K Pt , 1 B 8 13 . 



COMMITTERS. 

Gk.n. [loKvno KocKKs, Gen. Elisua II. Kiiodes, 

biKi r. Amos .M. Howk-n, 2(1 K. I. Vols. 

C'.M'T. Ukn.iamin II. ('nil, 11, Uatleiy A, R. I. L. A. 

I). CoiT TAV1.0K, Cai't. Gideon SrENCER, 

BattiMV B. U. I. L. A. 



OKKICEKS OK THE EXCUKSJON. 

Gk.n. IIokatk) Ho<iEus, Cliairiiiaii. Hkv. Samiel II. AVeri?, Chaplain. 
I). CoiT Tavi.oii, Secretary. Gen. Ei.isua H. Kuodes, ^lanager. 



I ri.N'KKAHV. 

.Mo.NDAV, UCTOUEK 11. 

7. l.T r. M. Leave Providoiicc, Sloiiiti^jtoii biiu'. 

9 I' M. Take StciiiuT .Massuclmsclts at Sloiiiiiytoii. 

Tl KSDAY. Oct. 12. 

6.;{0 \. M Arrive Hi New ^ imU 

lirt-iikfasl wlini ami wlien- yoii pliasr. ( lu.ss lo .)( rsey (il y liy IVrry, 



lUlODK ISLAND KXCURSION TO (ilCTTVSBUKG. U 

either at Desbrosscs' or Courtluiul street. A good restaurant will bo found 
at the Jersey City depot. 

9.16 A. M. Train leaves Jersey City, Peuu. R. R. 

11.30 A. M. Arrive at Philadelpliia. Twenty minutes for dinner. 

11.. '50 A. M. Leave Pliiladelphia. 

3.20 r. M. Arrive at llurrisburg. Change cars. 

3.40 p. M. Leave Harrisburg. 

5.50 p.m. Arrive at Gettysburg. Select your hotel. 

Headquarters at Eagle Hotel. Rates: Eagle Hotel, $2.00 per day; Mc- 
Clellan House, $1.50 per day. 

Wednesday, Oct. 13. 

At Gettj'sburg : The R. I. Memorials will be dedicated. Addresses by 
Gen. Horatio Rogers and others. 
Notices giving particulars will be posted at the hotels. 

Thursday, Oct. 14. 

At Gettj'sburg : Rides over the Battlc-fleld with guide. Fare for ride, 
$1.00. See notices posted at hotels. 

5.20 p. M. Leave Gettysburg. 

7.45 p. M. Arrive at Harrisburg, and remain over night at the United 
States Hotel. Rate, $2.00 per day. 

Parties who wish, by presenting their Excursion Tickets at the ticket 
office, can purchase tickets from Harrisburg to Washington and return for 
$5.00. 

On returning they must leave Harrisburg in time to reach New York 
before midnight, Thursday, Oct. 21. 

Friday, Oct. 15. 

7 a. m. Leave Harrisburg. 
10.20 A. M. Arrive at Philadelphia. 

Stop over at Philadelphia if you wish. Ask conductor for stop-over 
checks after leaving Harrisburg. 
11.15 A. M. Leave Philadelphia. 
2 p. M. Arrive at New York. 
4.30 p. M. Take Stouingtou steamboat. Secure your staterooms early. 

Saturday, Oct. 16. 

2 A. M. Arrive' at Stouiugton. 

3 A. >i. Take cars for Providence. 

If A^ou wish you can remain upon the boat and take 7.55 a. m. train for 
Providence. The wise and the sleepy will do so. 

4.30 or 9.15 a. m. Arrive in Providence. "Home, sweet Home." 

Tickets good for ten days from Oct. 11. 

Information will be given by the Manager at any hour, day or night, 
" rain or shine." 

ELISHA H. RHODES, Excursion Manager. 



10 



KHOUK l>I.AM> l.X< IKSltjN TO GKTTYSBURG. 



Tho roster of tin- (.'xcursiun as luadf up 1>y tlic manager was 
as follows : 

LAUIKS. 

.Mrs. t:t(.rsc T. HakiT. ----- Diowiiville, R. I. 

Mrs. Mt.scs n. Cliace, Piovideuco, 

Mrs. Hriijiimin II. Child, . - . - - 

Mrs. Wiliiain D. Child. 

Mrs. William J. Crosslcy, 

Mrs. Klias M. Jt-iukcs, 

Mrs. Kdwiii H. Jones, 

3Iiss Susie A. Lewis, - - 

Mrs A If rid O. Makce, 

>lrs Gciirire II. Paddock, 

Miss Louise F. Peine, Aiiburu, 

Mrs. Uol)erl Koberlsou, Ceutral Falls, " 

Mrs. T. Mil 111 ford Seabury, Newport, 

Mrs. John P. Sauborn, " 

Mrs. Hichniond J. Slouc, Howard, 

Miss Mabel H. Stone, ------- 

Mrs. I>. Coit Taylor, Providence, 

Mrs. P»ter Vennerbeck, " " 

3Irs. Josiah T. Warren, Bristol, 



8ECOND RIIUDK 1S1.-\ND VOLTNTEKKS. 

Arnold, Kdwin W Corporal Providence, R. I. 

Buwen, Amos M First Lieutenant 

Cook. Lowell C Corporal South ]Milford, Mass. 

Crossloy. William J Sergeant Providence, R. L 

Curtis, Joseph IJ Sergeant " 

IIortoM. Daniel II Private Pawlucket, R I. 

Johnstone, Robert L Private " 

I.*wis, Charles L. C. . . . . . Private. Hope Valley, R. I. 

Makee. Alfred O ]*rivate Providence, R. I. 

Martin. Owen 2d Private " 

3IcI)oiiough. Patrick Private Olneyville, R. I. 

N'ichols, Charles S Private Hope Valley, R. I. 

Purkhurst, Albert H Private Woonsocket, R. L 

PreullKB, Kilinund F Captain . .Providence, R. I. 

Proctor, Thoiniis IJ Private Davisville, R. L 

Hhrxles, ElisliH H Colonel Providence, R. I. 

RiiberlJMJii, Hoberl First Lieutenant Central Falls. R I. 

l{i»(,'erH, Horatio Col. and Bvt. Brig. Gen. . . Providence R. I. 

Stone. Hiclimiind J Sergeant Howard, R. I. 

Warren, Johiah T I'rivate Bristol, R. I. 



RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 



11 



BATTEIiY A, FIRST RHODE ISLAND LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Cargill, Charles Private Providence, R. I. 

Child, Beujamin H First Lieutenant 

Child, William I) First Sergeant 

Culliu, Timothy Private 

Greene, Stephen M Sergeant 

JeiTolman, James T Bugler 

Lewis, James Private 

Oluey, Amos M Quartermaster-Sergeant 



BATTERY B, FIRST RHODE ISLAND LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Delevan, John Private Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Reynolds, Wm. F Private Milf ord, Mass. 

Taylor, D. Coit Private Providence, R I. 

Whipple, Albert J Private Woonsocket, R. I. 

Addeman, Joshua M Captain, 14th R I. H. A Providence, R. I. 

Baker, George T Sergeant, 10th R. I. V Drownville, R. I. 

Chace, Moses B Corporal, 10th R. I. V Providence, R. I. 

Chase, Philip S Lieut. , Bat. F, R. I L. A. . . . 

Jackson, Richard H. . . Lieut., 9th N. Y. Vols 

Jenckes, Elias M Q. M. Sergt. 1st R. I. D. M. . 

■HT 11 T^i „ XT i 1st Lieut, and Brevet ) -n^„t^ iit.,„o 

Markley. John H -j ^,^p^ ^^ ^ g j^^,^,^^ j- . .Boston, Mass. 

Paddock, George H Private, 1st. R. I. D. M Providence, R. I. 

c, T r\ \ Com. Sergt.. 1st R. I. ) ., 

Swan, James O -J j^ j^I and 10th R. L V. T ' 

Tanner, James A Sergt., Bat. E, R. I. L. A 



CIVILIANS. 

Arnold, Charles ------- Providence, R. I. 

Briggs, Osmond H.- 
Fisher, Samuel H. 

Johnson, William S. 

Jones, Edwin R. . - . - - 

Keuyon, William H. - - - - - 
Lowry, William N. - - - - - 
Mathews, Adrian, M. D., 
Mathews, Franklin, M. D., 

Miller, William H. - - Providence, R. I. 

Morris, Edward D. 

Newell, Oscar A. 

Pendleton, Benjamin E. - - - - 
Pickering, Augustus ----- 

Sanborn, John P. 

Seabury, T. Mumford ----- 



Hope Valley, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 

Hope Valley, R. I. 
Providence, R. I. 

Philadelphia, Pa. 



Central Falls, R. I. 
Hope Valley, R. I. 
East Blackstone, Mass. 
Newport, R. I. 



12 RHODE ISLAND KXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

Stniight. (Miarlcs T. . . - - Pawtucket, R. I. 

Toye. Hobcrl G. - Provideuce, R. I. 

VcnnorlK'ck. Peter 
Welib, Hev. Saimu-I 11. 

The weather iipon the excui-sion was delight inlly warm and 
el«-nr, except Thursday afternoon, when it was show^cry, and 
the itinerary was faitlifully carried out. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 13th, at 10 a. m., the party took the 
train for Little Round Top station, wdiere it arrived ten min- 
utes later, and a walk of about seven minntes brought it to 
the memorial of the 2d R. I. Vols. Amid the rocks and un- 
der some trees hard by, the following dedicatory services 
wen' held : 

INVOCATION BY RP:V. SAMUEL IL WEBB, 
Chaplain of the Excursion. 

Ahni^iity and Everlasting God, forasmuch as without thee we 
are not able to i)lease thee, grant us the aid of thy grace in the 
services in which we are now to be engaged. We acknowledge thee 
as the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord 
of lords, the Almighty Ruler of nations. We adore and magnify 
thy glorious Name for all the great things which thou hast 
done for us. We render thee thanks for the goodly heritage 
wliieh thou iiast preserved to us. We tliank thee for the civil 
and religious privileges which we enjoy and for all thy goodness 
toward us. May we be duly grateful for thy mercies aud for the 
Herviees of those whose memory we this daj^ recall. Coutiuue to 
us, we beseech thee, the })lessiugs of i)eaee ; restore them to na- 
tions deprived of them, and secure them to all the people of the 
earth. As we gatlier this day upon the field of bygone strife, 
make us sensible of the great work wrouglit for the preservation 
of our country. May we live in holy obedience to thy righteous 
laws, and thus lie kept fiom the guilt of abusing the uumifold 
blebhiugH bcslowed upon us. Defend with thy fatherly care the 
orphans and widnws. Comfort and relieve all those who are in 
trouble, sorrow, m-ed, sickness, or any other adversity. Bless 
nil in legislative, judicial and executive authority, that the}' may 
have grace, wisdom and understnnding so to discharge their duties 
nit most ((Tectnally to piomolc lliy glory, the interests of true 



RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBrUG. 13 

religion and virtue, and the peace, good order and welfare of this 
laud, no longer rent with internal dissension. Lead us by thy 
Holy Spirit ever to put our trust iu thee, ever to honor and obey 
thee. Imprint upon our hearts a deep and habitual sense of the 
great truth, that the only security for the continuance of those 
blessings we enjoy consists in our acknowledgment of thy sov- 
ereign and gracious Providence, and in holy and humble submis- 
sion to the gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ. Restrain, we pray 
thee, the enemies of peace and union. Give wisdom and strength 
to all in authority over us, that by their counsel, control and ef- 
forts, upheld and guided by thy power and blessing, this Republic 
may ever be preserved. May truth, duty, union and patriotism 
ever triumph. May we keep in mind the example of those who 
so nobly defended our beloved land in her hour of peril, and teach 
our sous and daughters rightly to esteem the blessings of liberty 
and freedom. Be with us in our present duties, direct and govern 
our thoughts, words and deeds in accordance with thy will ; and 
when the warfare of this present life is ended, may we be num- 
bered among those who have their names written in the Lamb's 
Book of Life. We ask for these things in the name and through 
the merits and intercession of thy Son, our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

ADDRESS BY GEN. HORATIO ROGERS, 

The Colonel commanding the Second Kiiode Island Volunteers 
AT Gettysburg. 

Comrades of the late Civil War^ Ladies and Gentlemen : 

We stand on historic ground. Here rebellion culminated. 
On this spot the onward march of armed resistance to the 
Government was stayed. Thus far could it go and no farther. 
From these hills and plains the waves of civil war rolled 
backward, and in less than two years disappeared from the 
face of this fair land forever. The battlefield stretched before 
our eyes is famous for the results achieved upon it. It is 
likewise celebrated for its natural beauty ; and some of the 
events that transpired here nearly a quarter of a century ago, 
for grand scenic and picturesque effects, have rarely been 
equalled and never surpassed in the annals of the continent. 



11 Kni)I»E ISLAND EXCURSION TO GKTTYSBUUG. 

The bloody struiigle in the Devil's Den, the scaling of Little 
Round Toj) and the desperate contest for its possession, the 
terrific honil.urdment of the third of July, the gallant but 
fatal diarge of Pickett's Division, in which but Pickett him- 
self of all his generals, and a single lieut.-colonei of all his 
field olVicers, escaped unscathed from the annihilation of his 
command, are ineffaceably impressed upon the minds of all 
beholders, and form one of the most memorable chapters of 
our national history. Then, too, the battle fought here was 
imiqiiL' ill having been the only one on free soil during the 
great contlict between union and secession. All these ele- 
ments of interest combine to make this the typical battlefield 
of the late war, and Gettys))urg has been pictured upon can- 
vas and narrated u|>on papei' with a graphic distinctness and 
a fullness of detail that has characterized no other scene of 
conflict in America. It is apparent, therefore, why this has 
been selected as the battlefield of the civil war where all or- 
ganizations taking pai-t in the stirring events enacted here 
have been invited to erect fitting memorials of their partici- 
pation. As the colonel of the Second Rhode Island Volun- 
teers at Gettysburg, 1 have been chosen to take the chief part 
in the dedication of its memorial on this historic field, and I 
shall strive to make the recital of its services more graphic 
by weaving into it my own recollections, which course I ti'ust 
will iiRct with your approval. 

After the Cliancellorsville campaign, in the spring of 1863, 
the Second Rhode Island lay (piietly at Falmouth till June 
Cth, when it ])r(»ceeded to the l)anks of the Rappahannock, 
f(jr it lieiiig apparent to Hooker that Lee was making some 
kind of a move, General Sedgwick, of the Sixth Corps, had 
been (ordered to reconnoitre the south bank of the river, in the 
hope of developing the enemy's force, and for this purpose a 
pontoon bridge had been thrown across at Franklin's crossing 
on the ijth. A thousand men of the brigade, including a de- 
tail from tlie Second Rhode Island, were ordered to report, 
without anus, to me at the head ol the bridge, at dusk of the 
7th, and when it beeame (birk we crossed the river and threw 



RII01>K ISLAND EXCUHSION TO C.KTTYSIUJRG. 15 

up a lino ol" entrenchments about a mile long marked out for 
us by General Warren. We labored all night in silence, hav- 
ing l)een forbidden to talk or to light a match, and by dawn 
of day we had constructed a practical cover, which the troops 
then relieving us found no difficulty in completing under lire. 

June 9th, the Second crossed to the Fredericksburg side of 
the river, where it remained under an occasional shelling till 
the night of the loth, when in darkness and in rain descend- 
ing in torrents it recrossed with the rest of the Sixth Corps, 
and bade a final farewell to Fredericksburg. It had transpired 
that Lee was moving northward, so the Army of the Potomac 
followed, the Sixth Corps being on the extreme left, and form- 
ing the rear of the army. June 14 we crossed Potomac creek , 
halting at Stafford Court House till late in the evening, when 
we pushed on again, crossing Acquia creek early on the 15th. 
We marched, and marched, and marched, trudging along by 
day and by night, now under the heat of a scorching sun, and 
again under the chill of a driving rain that soaked us to the 
skin. Night and day, rain and shine, dust and mud were all 
alike to us, however, as we had to take it as it came, and on 
we went to Dumfries, then to Occoquan creek, next to Fairfax 
Station. June 18 we had got as far as Fairfax Court House, 
and for six days we had a little variety of duty, even if it was 
not all rest, as the corps was strung along as far as Bristoe 
Station, guarding the railroad and watching the mountain 
passes. June 26th we started again, reaching Drainesville 
that night, crossing the Potomac on pontoons the next day 
at Edwards Ferry, and camping near Poolesville, in Maryland, 
the night of the 27th. Onward we pushed the next morning 
through Poolesville and Barnesville, along the base of Sugar 
Loaf Mountain, through Whitestone to Percy Mills. The 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was passed on the 29th, and on 
we went through Newmarket and Ridgeville to Mount Airey. 
The last day of June we marched through Mount Vernon 
and Westminster to the neighborhood of Manchester, where, 
happily, we halted for a day. 

The hardships of that march from Fredericksburg, who, 



16 KlIoDK ISLAND KXCTUSION TO GICTTYSBUliG. 

that tonk it, will ever fori>et ? The fierce rays of the sun that 
lu-at upon us the day we reached Dumfries burned into my 
incniory so deeply that tliey can never be obliterated. 0, 
the utti'r weariness of going- into bivouac at midnigiit after a 
long day's march to start again at 3 in the morning ! What 
chafeil anil tired limbs there were, what aching heads ! For- 
tunately for nic 1 was a mounted officer, which helped some- 
what, but the colonel of the Second Rhode Island was not so 
much of a martinet but that he could tramp for miles to give 
foot-sore officers and men a needed lift, and one little drum- 
mer boy, but for the rides he got from the mounted officers, 
would have succumljed entirely. But weariness was not our 
only misery. Wagon trains were on the move, and baggage 
was not accessible. For three weeks I did not take off my 
clothes, and when 1 did ihey never went on again, hence it 
will re(|uire no very active fancy to i)icture our unenviable 
condition. The fare, too, was in keeping with our other trials. 
Wc could not always stop to cook, and, when we were fam- 
ished enough, raw salt pork spread upon hard tack proved an 
api)etizing combination, which made us, like Oliver Twist, to 
ask for more. Then, too, as we had no base of supplies, we 
could ill afford to condemn provisions that would support life, 
and, unfoi'tunately for us, some of our crackers had been on 
the peninsula the year before, and had become wormy. Time 
and again have I broken my hard tack into my coffee, and, 
scooping olf a myriad of worms tluit rose to the toj), content- 
edly ate the I'cst, for, fastidious as a man may naturally be, 
there is nothing like an empty stomach to knock the dainti- 
ness out of bim. Rough as our experiences were, it was very 
far from being all wretchedness, however, for the scenery was 
grand and pictures(]ue, we could sleep at a moment's notice 
without waking for eight or ten hours if permitted, we could 
digest the coarsest fare and get hungry enough to enjoy it, 
tlie lile was adventurous and in the open air, and, above all, 
we hml the conKci(jusness that we were doing our duty. 

W'r s|H.'iil tln' last day of Jtme near Manchester, and though 
inon- ili:in a scort- of yeai's has since elapsed, the delight of 



RHODE ISLAND EXOUHSFON TO GKTTYSBUUft. 17 

that rest to our weary limbs a,l)i(l(!s like a red-lcttei' day in my 
memory. All were wondering- what liad become of Lee, and 
expectation was roused to tlie highest ])oint. We knew that 
rebel cavalry had been hovering round us, as the Second had 
had some guarding of wagon trains to do, and I had been 
particularly warned of the proximity of Confederate troopers. 
Then, too, we had occasionally passed dead cavalrymen that 
had fallen in recent skirmishes, so that orders to march were 
momentarily looked for. Nine o'clock in the evening came, 
but the expected orders had not arrived, and quiet reigned 
over the camp. Presently, however, far away and faint in the 
distance, though distinctly audible, rang out the assembly 
from a single cavalry bugle. 1 interpreted its meaning in- 
stantly, and ordered little Dick lliggins, a drummer boy in 
his early teens that was kept at headquarters, to beat the 
drummer's call preparatory to the assembly. Some of the 
staff listened to me in astonishment, as an aid or an orderly 
was always sent from brigade headquarters with orders to 
pack up, and taking the responsibility of routing out the regi- 
ment and getting it ready to march at that time of night 
without orders, struck them as peculiar, to say the least, and 
they so intimated. My opinion was that the bugle call was 
the sure precursor of the long-expected orders, and as my 
staff were officers and gentlemen and I was colonel, no more 
comments were made, whatever may have been their thoughts, 
so the assembly of the Second Rliode Island Drum Corps 
broke sharply forth upon the still night air, much to the sur- 
prise of my brother colonels, as no one had as yet received 
any orders to move. The men packed up rapidly, and in lif- 
teen or twenty minutes down galloped an orderly with the 
anticipated orders, and hardly had he got out of hearing when 
the generals began to appear, first the brigade and then the 
corps commander, and when General Sedgwick saw the Second 
Rhode Island all in line ready to march, he rode up to Colonel 
Eustis, commanding the brigade, who was talking to me, and 
said : " I am glad to find a regiment in the corps ready to 
march. Order it to move out at once !" Thus it was the 

3 



18 KllnlH- ISLAND EXCIRSION TO OETTVSBrKG. 

Sccoiul Rhode Island led the corps on that eventfnl march 
towards (Jettyslnirir. It was a beautiful, calm night, the at- 
niosi»here was soft and balmy, and the moon shed forth a 
jrentle radiance snlVicient to light us on our way. We tramped 
all niirht with scarcely a halt, and to say that we were tired 
but faintly expressed our feelings. For one, I was completely 
and utterly exhausted, and when shortly after sunrise we 
iialted for a little rest and to make coffee, I fell asleep, and 
slept as heavily as if drugged, so that when General Sedgwick 
was ready to start I could not be wakened, and another regi- 
ment was pushed into my idace ; and thus the Second Rhode 
Island lost the head of the corps. When, however, I did at 
last get my eyes open, it was no small problem to wake up 
the exhausted and sleeji-ridden soldiei'S. I remember aiding 
some of the line oflicers in rousing their men. I had on thick 
top boots and carried a heavy cavalry sabre, so I wMjuld kick 
a man on one side of me and strike another with my sheathed 
sabre on the other with force enough to knock a wide-awake 
person over, and yet my vigorous efforts often needed repeti- 
tion l)efore the weary souls could be induced to open their 
eyes. 

At last we ap|troached the battlefield, and before reaching 
it a crowd of stragglers swarmed by us. Indeed, it seemed 
fi-oin the fragmentary mass flocking along as if the whole 
army must jiave disintegrated and gone to pieces. There has 
b(.-en nnit.'h discussion as to the time the Sixth Corps ar- 
rived at Gettysl)urg. General Doubleday and the Comte de 
Paris, in their accounts of the battle, state that the head of 
the corps arrived about 2 p. m., while others give a later hour. 
Hut whatever the tinu' may have been when we finished our 
thirty-four-mile march — a march famous in the annals of the 
war — lighting was going on when w^e turned off the Baltimore 
Pike on to Powcrs's Hill and came to a halt on the battlefield. 
We rested and nuide coffee, all the wdiile hearing heavy firing 
at our left, till after a time our brigade was dispatched in that 
direction to strengthen our lines near Little Round Top, and 
we first went into line of battle just back of this memorial. 



RHODE ISLAND KXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 19 

Here we waited expectantly, listening and watching and won- 
dering, but not being called on to do more. Here we re- 
mained till day went out and darkness settled over the com- 
batants, and here we spent the night in line of battle, resting 
on our arms. How well 1 recall that night! My headipinr- 
ters were under a large tree a few jjaces in roar of the left 
wing of the regiment, and all night long a throng of wounded 
in blue and gray were borne along close by us. The groans 
of the poor fellows were heart-rending, and as I lay at tlie 
foot of that tree in the pale moonlight, watching the sad pro- 
cession, listening to the agonizing sounds and wondering what 
the final issue of the great struggle we were engaged in was 
going to be, 1 could not help thinking of the Duke of Welling- 
ton's famous saying, that, next to a defeat, the saddest <hing 
was a victory. 

The following morning, July od, we were up at break of 
day, for no one knew wdiat was in store for us. The hours 
were slipping rapidly away, and we seemed destined to in- 
action, though very heavy firing was going on far to our right. 
At last came orders to march. The rebel General Johnston 
had pierced the Federal lines on Gulp's Hill, on the extreme 
right, the evening before, and had penetrated almost to the 
Baltimore Pike, spending the night there, so the first effort 
of the day was to push him back. He held on doggedly, and 
reinforcements were dispatched to aid the 12th corps, among 
others our brigade, but he was repulsed before we reached the 
scene of action, and we had a hot, weary and fruitless march. 
The scorching heat of that July sun was intense and we suf- 
fered greatly. Noon was approaching and quiet pervaded the 
battlefield. One o'clock came, and the report of two guns 
broke upon the ear, and directly 134 pieces of Confederate 
artillery belched forth their pandemonium of sound and de- 
struction. Eighty Federal cannon replied, and it seemed as if 
Satan and all his cohorts were holding carnival. For nearly 
two hours this furious cannonade went on, and who ever heard 
it and witnessed its effects, will never forget it, though like 
the Wanderino; Jew he were fated to live forever on the earth. 



•20 itimiiK isi.ANit KxcinsioN to gkttysburg. 

We wen- en :i plain exposed to the pitiless blast, and before 
we eoiilil uvt 1(. cover we had (|iiite a distance to traverse. 
The roar of ihi- i:iins. tlic llcndish explosion of shells, the 
snappinL^ ot bianrhes of ti'ees overhead caused by pieces of 
shell, the fall of stricken men, the hurrying flight of soldiers 
to covor, the shrinking to earth of those in line of battle that 
could stM'k no refuge, the agonized terror of wounded horses 
dashiuL^ aloni:- — all made up a scene that must be witnessed 
to be ajtpreciated. The frantic actions of the injured animals 
were jtarticularly impressive. Of the many such I recall a 
particularly line, strong horse, with his under jaw shot away, 
tearing along in a frenzy of i)ain. Next came Pickett's grand 
charue, and our brigade, ever on the move to threatened points, 
was hurried along to the place of danger. We passed just in 
rear <if our line of battle, using our eyes and our legs to the 
utmost of our power. As we were nearing our journey's end 
a Ldad shout of triumph broke forth, and ringing cheers trav- 
elled along the line toward us. Presently came a crowd of 
reliel ollicers and a score or two of captured flags under guard, 
followed at a short distance l»y thousands of rebel prisoners 
being carried to the rear, and then the cause of the shouts 
and the cheers became apparent, and we, too, took up the 
jovous sounds, which i-olled on down the lines beyond us. 
Pickett's Division had been annihilated, the Confederate at- 
tack had signally failed, and Lee's anticipations of victory had 
turned into the bitter realization of defeat. The Federal left, 
right and centre had been successively assailed. At each 
point it seemed, at times, as if the gray was about to triumph 
over the l»lue, but the God of Battles had otherwise decreed, 
:ind cMcli tinu' the Confederate assaults had come to naught. 
VVc wondered if a counter attack would not be made, and we 
knew full well that, if made, it would devolve upon the Sixth 
Corps, 'i'lic :dternoon wore on, however, and the expected 
move was imt ordci-ed, so we watched the sun go down, and 
again lay down in line of battle to await the coming day, but 
this time we wondered less as to the outcome of the pending 
Ktrnggle, as we felt that victory was assured. 



RHODE ISLAND F.XCITRSION TO GETTYSBTJRO. 21 

The morniiio; liglit of July 4tli found lis astir, ready for tlie 
duties of the day. Durino- the nit>-ht Gcnci-al Lee drew liack 
his left wing', which encircled our right, tlius straightening his 
line and making it a less aggressive and a better defensive 
position. Neither side showed any disposition to attack, but 
the picket lines kept up a constant fire. Early in the day the 
regiment was ordered down to the Emmetsburg road to sup- 
port Berdan's sharpshooters on the picket line. To protect 
the men as much as possible from the constant fusilade going 
on, I brought the command into line of battle and took it at 
the double quick the last few hundred yards, and even then 
one man was wounded. At the Emmetsburg road we hugged 
mother earth for shelter, our only duty being to support the 
sharpshooters in our front in case of a Confederate advance, 
which, however, never came. Aftei- a while, the lire became 
less lively, and we began to look about us. What a sight 
was spread before our eyes ! It was enough to appal the 
stoutest heart. We lay between the two armies where the 
fighting had been hot and heavy on the second day, and where 
the Union fire swept the Confederate lines as they advanced 
in the famous charge the day before. We commanded an ex- 
tensive view, and dead horses and stricken men lay in myriads 
about us. Blue uniforms and gray were commingled there, 
the wearers having joined other ranks where those colors 
ceased to have significance. We seemed to have entered the 
very Court of Death. The dead were everywheie. The 
ground, in places, was fairly carpeted with them. Just back 
and to the left of us, in an orchard, was a Union battery, com- 
plete as to oflficers, artillerists and horses, save that all were 
stiff and stark in death. It was in position for action. The 
limbers wei'e in rear of the pieces with the horses hitched to 
them. The men grasped their rammers and their lanyards. 
Everything about it seemed entire, save that all that had lieen 
instinct with life two short days before, had been stricken 
down. Dotting the field one could sec little white flags where 
wounded men had raised a handkerchief on a ramrod as a 



'2-2 i;inii>K island kxcursion to gettysbukg. 

signal of distress and as an indication that they were not dead, 
so that assistance might go to fhein. Stretcher-men, of conrse, 
were l)nsy, and we Uiy quietly and watclicd Die sad and sick- 
ening sight. Indeed, prostrate foims were so numerous that, 
as we could not be relieved till after nightfall to avoid ex- 
posure, 1 had to dismount and lead my horse when we left 
the lield for tear of ste])ping on human bodies. The sun 
shone fiercely anon, and then the rain would descend in tor- 
rents, and this continued at intervals throughout the day. 
The atm(ts|theric effect upon the dead, therefore, was extremely 
rapid, and the stench was terrible. 

War alt'ords many striking incidents, and one occurred on 
that grim tour of picket duty that illustrated alike the value and 
the virtue of Masonic brothcj-hood, and shed a soft and hallow- 
ing iniluence over the ghastly surroundings of that scene of 
strife. Many dead lay in the Emmetsburg road in front of 
us, and just opposite the right of the regiment, stretched out 
at full length, was the lifeless form of a Confederate colonel. 
His was a fine, manly figure, and he was smitten down in the 
prime of life. It was ascertained from a Masonic certificate 
in his jiocket, which I hold in my hand, that his name was 
Joseph Wasden, and that he was a member of Franklin Lodge, 
No. 11, of Warrenton, Ga. Thereupon it was determined that 
this deceased bic^ther, an enemy in life, that had been stricken 
down far from his home and loved ones, should be buried by 
fraternal liaiuls, and the blue uniforms gathered round the 
gray as a sipuid of the Second Rhode Island, under the direc- 
ti(jn of Captain Thomas Foy, a Past Master of King Solomon 
Lodge, No. 11, of East Greenwich, raised the inanimate form 
in their ai-ms and bore it carefully two or three hundred yards 
to the right, where they tenderly and reverently buried it on 
the south side of (Jodori's barn, the opposing picket shots serv- 
ing as minute guns. Several years ago, at one of our regi- 
mental reunions, I requested Capt. Foy to send me the certifi- 
cate, and to give me the details of this burial in which he was 
the chief |iarti(ipanl ; and 1 extract scmie sentences from the 



RHODE ISLAND KXCURSION TO (JKTrYSHLTUG. 23 

letter he soon afterwards sent me. He wrote : "1 saw Cor- 
poral Archie Stalker the day after the nninion, but ho was 
unable to remember the names of the privates who assisted us 
at the burial of Colouel Wasden. 

" It should be mentioned that Cori)oral Stalker (who is an 
excellent amateur letterer), by my direction, prepared a head- 
stone (stf) out of the top of an ammunition box, and carved 
the Colonel's name, rank and regiment upon it, and erected 
it at the head of the grave, and the corporal informed me that 
he had conversed with the author of a picture of the battle- 
field of Gettysburg (Carpenter, I think,) who asserted that he 
saw such a headstone when he was on the field taking notes. 

" You doubtless remember that the grave was made contigu- 
ous to a barn. Well, in that barn at the time there were a 
lot of wounded rebels, a part of whom claimed to be members 
of Wasden's regiment. I requested them, if they lived to get 
home, to inform the friends of Colonel Wasden that he was 
decently buried, and by a Mason." 

The grave was so well marked that many people here in 
Gettysburg remember it, and a year ago, or more, when I was 
here last, an officer of Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 336, loca- 
ted here, informed me that members of that Lodge assisted in 
removing the remains wlien subsequently exhumed and for- 
warded to his friends. Being myself a Mason and interested 
to know sometiiing more of the subject of this romantic inci- 
dent, a few weeks since I addressed a note to the Master of 
Franklin Lodge, No. 11, of Warrenton, Ga., and this is his 
reply : 

"ORDiNARy's Office, Warren County, 

"Warrenton, Ga., Sept. 22, 1886. 

"To Horatio Rogers, Esq., Providence, R. I. : 

" My Dear Sir and Bro. — Your letter of inquiry reached me yes- 
terday. I must confess that I was touched by its perusal, I have 
been a Mason about fortj'-two years. * I have been Master of our 
Lodge, Fraukliu Lodge, No. 11, a great many times. Under the 



21 RHODE ISLAND KXrUHSION TO GETTYSBURCi. 

ciicii instances it affords me unnsual pleasure to comply with your 
request, at least in part. Josei)li Wasdeu enlisted as a volunteer 
in this county, 31st day of August, 1861. He was captain of the 
company. He was afterwards promoted Major, then Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and then Colonel of the 22d Georgia Regiment. He 
was killed on the second day of the fight, and on the 2d day of 
July, 1803. 

" Some tidings of the kindness and tender offices shown his body 
had reached here, but nothing so satisfactory as that which your 
letter contains. I am glad to know that his body fell into such 
hands, and that the blessed principles of our ancient craft are not 
to be forgotten or eclipsed by the clangor of arms, the din of war, 
or anything else, and that the nerveless embrace of death is no 
barrier to a Mason's charity. Colonel Wasden was about 35 years 
of age. He was a poor boy, did not receive much education, but 
had spirit and ambition, and was destined to distinction if he had 
lived. He was a lawyer by profession, and was rising slowly, 
but surely, in the practice. 

" His wife — he had no children — was a northern lady, and I sup- 
pose at this time is at St. Paul's, Minnesota. If his body was 
sent anywhere, it must have been sent to her in some northern 
State. It was not brought to Georgia. Mrs. Wasden's given 
name was Marion. The Colonel's sword is in this county now, 
in possession of a friend of Mrs. Wasden, with whom she lived 
after the death of her husband until the war was over. I do not 
know that Mrs. AY. is living. 

" I have to-day seen Captain Beall of Colonel AVasdeu's regi- 
ment. He saj's the Colonel was rising fast in the army. His superior 
oUicers had their eyes fixed on him, and he would soon have been 
promoted still higher. 

'' In conclusion, I am glad to assure you and all connected with 
that transaction, that your kindness was not unworthily bestowed. 

" I am very truly and fraternally yours, etc., 

"R. W. HUBERT, 
" W. M. Franklin Lodge, No. 11." 

'J'lie Twenty-Second Georgia was in Wright's Brigade, An- 
derson's Division of A. P. Hill's Corps, and it lost at Gettys- 
burg 21 killed and 75 wounded, and Colonel Wasden must 



UHODI': ISLAND KXCIIKSION To (iKTIVSItrm; . 2.) 

have been killed late in the art(,'rnuon ol' the second day's 
light.* 

When on picket we all felt sure that Lee was retreat ini;;, for 
all day long we could hear the rumble of his wagon trains. 
After dark we rejoined our brigade, but the next morning, 
July 5th, the Second Rhode Island was ordered to report to 
General Neil, and be temporarily attached to his brigade, 
which led the pursuit of the Confederate army, for the latter 
had departed during the night. The rebel wounded were 
everywhere. We overtook them on the road ; the barns and 



* Through the courtesy of Dr. J. W. C. O'Neal, of Gettysburg, the following, in regard 
to the removal of Col. Wasdon's remains from Gettysburg to Georgia, has been obtained : 

"844 N. 10th St., Phila., Oct. 27th, 1886. 

" Dear Doctor : It affords me pleasure to gratify your desire for information concern- 
ing the exhumation and reburial of the remains of Col. J. Wasden, 22d Ga. Reg't, who was 
killed at Gettysburg, July — , 1863. 

" During the summer of 1871, per contract with the Savannah Memorial Asso'u, I e.\humed 
the remains of Col. Wasden, and those of one hundred Georgians, who had been buried on 
the battlefield at Gettysburg; and shipped the same to the S. M. Asso'n, by whom they 
were re-interred in the cemetery at Savannah, Ga. 

"The grave, on the head-board of which was conspicuously marked 'Col. J. Wasden, 
22nd Ga. Reg.,' was located on east side of Emmettsburg road, just inside the fence, and 
near the south end of Codori's barn. The grave was single and alone. I exhumed the re- 
mains of Col. W. and packed them in a large box. No. .5, in company with those of eight 
other Georgians whose names were known, as tlieir graves had been marked. 

" The remains were not packed separately in small boxes, but collectively in large boxes, 
by direction from the S. M. A. to meet the limited capacity of the Soldiers' Lot in the ceme- 
tery. Any further information which may be desired concerning these remains can be re- 
ceived by addressing Mrs. John Williamson, President of the S. M. Asso'u, Savannah, Ga. 

'.'1 am fraternally yours, 

" R. B. WEAVER. 
"To Dr. J. W. C. O'Neal, Gettysburg, Pa." 

"Dear Doctor: I trust that the enclosed note may meet your want. If I understood 
you correctly, you desired a note showing that I removed the remains of Col. W., by who.se 
authority, and where they could be found— or, rather, where they were re-buried. These 
three facts my letter contains. 

" You will understand why Col. W.'s remains were not packed in a separate box. I sent 
a list of the names to the Association, so that by referring to the list they can ascertain in 
which one of the 8 boxes any one of the remains, sought after, may be found, for the names 
on the list correspond with the number on each box. Col. W.'s bones are in box Xo. f>, with 
the bones of 8 other comrades, and among which are the bones of Lt.-Col. D. R. E. Winn, 
4th Ga. (You mind he was buried at Blocker's, and it was his gold-plate teeth that I paid 

$5 for through you. You expressed the teeth and receipt to me, and I expressed them 

to Savannah.) I will be pleased to reply to any inquiry you raay^nake at any time. Hoping 
that you may continue in good health, 

"I am, with best wishes, R- B- W." 

Dr. Weaver is at present Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Halmemau Medical School, 
Philadelphia. 



26 HHODK IS1,.VN1> EXCURSION TO GKTTYSBUKG. 

houses we passed were filled with them ; and it seemed as if 
tliere was no end to them. Move or less al)le-l)odicd stra<2,"glcrs 
were pirked up, and 1 recall the tone and manner of one of 
them as 1 was .uiving orders how to guard a S([uad of a dozen 
or fifteen that I had in charge. I spoke of them as "Gray- 
backs," and he smilingly looked up and said : " Colonel, I 
never heard us called by that name before." We followed 
Lee down to Virginia, capturing some prisoners, skirmishing 
heavily at Funksto^nl, where several of the regiment were 
wounded, and where we thought we were going to fight. The 
Confederate army was allowed to cross to Virginia practically 
unmolested, and the Gettysburg campaign ended. 

The casualties in the Second Rhode Island in the famous 
battle fought here, were utterly disproportioned to the services 
rendeied and the sufferings endured, as it had but one man 
killed and five wounded. The smallness of the loss, however, 
was largely due to the regiment's having been studiously 
spread out while it was exposed to the furious cannonade of 
July 3d, so that a bursting shell could hit but a single man, 
whereas one of the other regiments of the brigade that marched 
with closed ranks lost nearly five times as many as we. An- 
other favoring circumstance was that our brigade, like most 
of the Sixth Corps, was in the reserve, and this at once con- 
duced to our safety and afforded us superior opportunities to 
olnserve what was trans})ii-ing around us ; but it was, neverthe- 
less, a trying and onerous j)Osition, as reserves are called on 
in emergencies, and are, therefore, of the flower of the army, 
that can be relied on at a pinch. Napoleon's Old Guard was 
always in his reserve. It is an infinitely harder strain upon 
the nerves of men to watch and wait, often enduring a fire 
they are forbidden to return, than it is to actually fight, for 
the pent-up feelings find relief in the excitement of action. 

This, Comrades, and Ladies and Gentlemen, constitutes the 
record of the Second Rhode Island at the great battle fought 
here, and it is to perpetuate this record that the Gettysburg 
Battlefield Memorial Association has invited us to place a 
memorial upon this field. In response to that invitation this 



KIIODK ISLAND EXCUIlSfON TO (IKTTYSI'.rilC. 27 

brou/.c surmounted granite, bearing, besides its otber orna- 
mentation, the arms ol" the State and an appropriate inscriji- 
tion, has been erected at the joint expense of the State ol' 
Rhode Island and the Second Rhode Island Veteran Associa- 
tion, and we confide it to your keeping, Mr. Secretary, as the 
representative of the Gettysburg Battlelield MeuKjrial Associ- 
ation, to guard with the other memorials of both o{)ponents 
on this historic field, that have been, and are to l)e, placed 
here, and which for all time to come will attest the constancy 
and the valor with which this people, North and South, con- 
tended for their ])rincii)lcs. But, while this memorial is in- 
tended to commemorate the honorable part we of the Second 
Rhode Island bore in the most memorable struggle of the late 
civil war, it is intended to represent nothing more. The din of 
battle is over, the animosities of war have ceased, and Yank 
and Reb., Unionist and Secesh, Federal and Confederate, have 
laid aside both their arms and their bitterness, and having 
fought their differences out like men, now greet each other as 
fellow-countrymen, and point with pride to a common flag as 
the segis of our liberties. 

ADDRESS BY HON. JOHN M. KRAUTH, 

Secretary op the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. 

Veterans of Rhode Island, Ladies and Gentlemen : — It af- 
fords me very great pleasure, as the representative of the 
Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association, to receive into 
our care and custody this monument. This beautiful struc- 
ture, as already stated, has been erected by a grateful State, 
supplemented by the subscriptions of the survivors of the 
regiment, to commemorate and perpetuate the gallant deeds 
of the gallant men who here fought for the integrity of the 
Union. I can assure you that it will give this Association and 
its successors the greatest pleasure to see that no harm shall 
come to these monuments, to so guard them that they shall 
be preserved in their beauty to be handed down to the latest 
generations, in order that they who come to tliis great field 



28 KIIODK ISLAND EXCURSION TO GKTTYSBtJRO. 

of battle may see what the citizens of your State and the citi- 
zens of the northern portion of the eonntry sacrificed for this 
country. Again we thank you and congratulate you on your 
distinguished service, and renew our assurances that we shall 
guard this memorial to perpetuate the services and gallantry 
of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers. 

BENEDICTION BY CHAPLAIN WEBB. 

The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your 
hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his 
Son Jesus Christ, our Lord ; and the blessing of God Almighty, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and 
remain with you always. Amen. 

The party then proceeded by train to Hancock Station, 
whence a few minutes' walk brought it to the memorials of 
Batteries A and B, where the following dedicatory services 
were had, beginning at the memorial of Battery A. 

INVOCATION BY CHAPLAIN WEBB. 

Most Might}' and Merciful Father, we come before thee in an 
humble sense of our own unworthiness, beseeching thee to assist 
us in the solemn duties of the preseut hour. Be with us as thou 
hast promised to be with tliose who make their petitions in thy 
Son's name. Give us wisdom from on High that we may faith- 
fully observe thy laws and do thy will. May we preserve ever- 
more the remembrance of our departed comrades. May their 
heroic deeds be held in grateful esteem by those who enjoy the 
blessings they helped to gain for our country. Let thy good 
Spirit abide in our midst that so we may perform faithfully and 
well the duties of this day. As we gather here in thy presence, 
help us to realize the greatness of the work performed by those 
whose bravery we commemorate. May the good example of our 
fallen comrades be had in mind. May we wisely improve our 
opportunities and shew forth thy glory by upholding the principles 
of efjuity, freedom and patriotism. Have mercy upon our land 
and all who dwell therein. Keep them from all evil, prosper their 
efforts lo protiiole pi!aee and li:ipi»ir)ess on earth. Look in mercy 



RHODK ISLAND EXCt'RStON TO OICTTVSI'.I ItC . 20 

upon the distressed of this and other lands. Hless all in author- 
ity over us, and so ride their hearts and strenjrtiien their hands 
that they may punisli wickedness and viee, and maintain thy true 
religion and virtue. May we in our present life serve well the 
great Captain of man's salvation, and in tiiiue own good tin)e be 
received into the Church triumphant. All which we ask through 
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

ADDRESS BY LIEUT. BENJAMIN H. CHILD, 

Who Served as a Sergeant with Battery A, at the Battle of 
Gettysburg, in which he was Wounded. 

Mr. Chairman, Comrades, and Ladies and Gentlemen : 

Hardly had the first call for three months' men, in 1861, 
been responded to, when the military authorities of Rhode 
Island contemplated the oi-ganization of the Second Regiment 
of Infantry and a second battery. Enrollments progressed 
rapidly, and but a few days after not less than 400 men were 
desirous of linking their fortunes with the battery. The arm- 
ory on Benefit street in Providence, was the rendezvous of 
men from sunrise till late at night eager to acquire the knowl- 
edge of military tactics, foot drill and manual of the piece. 
Some men were so anxious as to come before daylight, and 
would not leave in the evening until the armorer persuaded 
them to. We expected to get mustered into three months' 
service, but the Federal Government by issuing a call for 
75,000 men for not less than three years, left no other alter- 
native but to serve the said term. At last the day that was 
to transform us from citizens to soldiers arrived, the required 
number to man the battery being selected, out of 400, by Sur- 
geon Wheaton. On the 5th day of June, 1881, at 5 o'clock 
p. m., we were mustered into the service of the United States 
for three years, unless sooner discharged. The 19th inst. 
witnessed our departure for Washington, D. C. On July 9th 
a sad accident occurred at section drill. Through some un- 
known cause a limber-chest of Lieut. Vaughn's section, filled 
with cartridges, exploded, while Gunner Morse and Privates 



30 KHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

Bi-own and Freeman were mounted. Morse and Brown died 
within an hour. Freeman was badly injured, i)ut recovered 
after a lingering sickness. Sunday, July 21st, we received 
our first bai)tisin by fire at the l)attle of Manassas Plains, or 
Bull Run. We advanced steadily from Centreville until ai-- 
riving at Bull Run and Sudley Church, where a halt was made 
to rest our men and horses. At this moment the brave Rhode 
Island Infantry, commanded by Col. Slocum, came upon the 
enemy, who were concealed in the woods. Their situation 
was getting critical ; the report of cannon and musketry fol- 
lowed in rapid succession. Our battery, after passing Sudley 
Church, commenced to trot in great haste to the place of com- 
bat. At this moment Gen. McDowell rode u]) in a state of 
great excitement, shouting to Capt. Reynolds: "Forward 
with your light battery." This was entirely needless, as we 
were going at high speed, for all were anxious to come to the 
rescue of our Second Regiment. In quick time our guns were 
unlimbei'ed, with or without orders. No matter, it was 
done, and never did better music sound to the old Second 
Regiment than the quick report of our guns, driving back the 
enemy. For nearly forty minutes our battery and the Second 
Regiment defended that ground before any other troops were 
brought into action. The setting sun of that day found the 
fragments of our army not only in full retreat, but in a com- 
plete rout, leaving most of the artillery in the hands of the 
enemy, our battery being the only six-gun battery taking all 
its guns off of the battlefield, two guns being in a disabled 
condition. Five of our guns were lost at the Cub Run bridge. 
The following morning we arrived in Washington with one 
gun and a six-horse team, all that was left of our battery. 
We lost one man killed and several wounded and prisoners. 
On the 13tli of August, the State having organized a regi- 
ment of light artillery, we were no longer called the Second 
Battery, but Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. 
The battery was engaged in most of the battles in the Penin- 
sula campaign of 1862. 

September 2, 18C>2, we were in the Second Corps at the 



KHODK ISI^ANI) KXCriUSION TO (iK'ITVSKUKC . 31 

second Bull Run. We left Fairfax Court House at 8 u. ni., t'onii- 
ing in line of battle on Flint Hill. Not being attached, our line 
of march was resumed. Soon a rebel battery opened on our rear 
directly from the town. Gen. Sumner, commanding the Sec- 
ond Corps, ordered one section of our battery and the First 
Minnesota Infantry, commanded by Col. Sulley, to take posi- 
tion, planting the two guns of the right section on each side 
of the road. About dusk the enemy appeared. We could 
hear the unlimbering of the artillery. At that moment we 
opened lively with shell and canister, while Col. Sulley threw 
his regiment across the road and kept up a brisk musketry 
fire on the advancing cavalry of the enemy. l>oing unal)le to 
use their artillery, the rebels retreated. The First Minnesota 
lost seven men killed. One of our limber chests was upset 
and the pole broken, injuring one man and a horse. Col. 
Sulley was anxious to fall l)ack, and advised our captain to 
lose no time, and, if necessary, to abandon the gun. Capt. 
Tompkins replied he would carry the gun along or share its 
fate. We all went to work tying the two guns and limbers 
together, and they were carried safely away. 

September 17th — Battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg. 
Since 4 a. m. the l)attle has raged furiously. Gen. Hooker 
gained some ground early in the morning, but was wounded 
soon after the ball opened. Our battery was ordered to take 
position close to Hooker's line. The battlefield wore a terrific 
aspect at our arrival. Before reaching our designated position 
we had to pass through the enemy's artillery fire for nearly a 
mile. Two of our men were wounded before getting into 
position. While marching through a corn-field we saw one 
of our batteries entirely demolished, and hundreds of dead and 
wounded, both the blue and the gray, lay everywhere around 
us. Crossing the field we were heartily cheered by the famous 
old Sedgwick's division, which was advancing on the enemy 
like veterans. We took our position near a cemetery and in 
front of a burning farm house — a place already fought for all 
the morning, as could be seen by the dead and wounded strewn 
around. We relieved a battery of Gen. Hooker's command, 



;}2 KUODK ISLAND EXCDUSION TO GETTYSI5UKG. 

and were supported by two companies of the Twenty-eighth 
Pennsylvania Infantry commanded by a sergeant. Here we 
fought steadily against infantry and artillery for four hours 
and a half. At one time our situation was very critical. The 
euL-my, after driving Gorman's brigade on our right, came 
charging from that direction. We used double canister. 
There was a time when half of tlie battery was compelled to 
cease tiring. The order " Limber to the rear " was given, but, 
fortunately, not heard, as it would have resulted in the certain 
capture of the battery. At this critical turn Capt. Tompkins 
called on our infantry support to advance, which they did, 
enabling us to load again. The enemy failing to take the 
battery, retreated slowly, leaving a battle flag behind, which 
by right sliould have been given to the battery, as it fell before 
the infantry advanced. Our ammunition giving out, Capt. 
Tompkins sent word to be relieved. Our bugler, John Leach, 
deserves due mention here for carrying notice through the 
hottest fire, regardless of his personal safety, to bring rescue 
to his comrades. Shortly afterwards, Battery G, Rhode Island, 
came to relieve us. We left our position under a heavy fire 
of the enemy's batteries, leaving our dead and wounded be- 
hind. Battery G was driven from the position we had held 
for four hours, when the ground was taken by the enemy. 
Our losses were : killed — Sergt. Reed, Privates Lawrence, 
Bosworth and Stone, and 13 wounded, and 9 horses killed. 
The foil wing morning Lieut. Jeffrey Hazard with eight men 
tried to obtain the bodies of our killed, but was not success- 
ful, as the enemy's shar))shooters fired at our approach. Later 
in the day the bodies were recovered in a mutilated state, and 
buried in the evening in the presence of the battery. 

Deccmlier 13th — Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. Firing 
commenced about II a. m. Capt. Tompkins, having been 
promoted to major, left the battery, and after making a fare- 
well speech to the l)oys, introduced our new commander, Capt. 
Wm. A. Arnold. Shortly after, the command "Forward!" 
was given, and we took our position on the outskirts of the 
town. Shot and shell were ploughing through the street al- 



RFioDK ISLAND KXCiutsioN TO <; r"iTvsr!n;< ; . 3.3 

ready. We took i)ositioii on tlu; i-oad Icmliiii:^ to St. Mary's 
Heights, and wc kept np a constant fire diirinjr the afternoon. 
Owing to our jwsition being protected by houses, our h)sses 
were small. Pi-ivate Hicks was shot through both feet, ren- 
dering auii)utation of both members necessary. (Jn June 14th, 
1863, the Second Corps left its jiosition in front of Frederieks- 
bui-g, Va., for Gettysbui-g. 

Let there be a lasting place in our memory for thos(! who 
sleep forever on the blood-stained fields of Virginia, Maryland 
and Pennsylvania — not forgetting comrades Lonnegnn, Zim- 
nila, Creamer and Higgins, who wei-e killed on this very ground 
and now rest in yonder cemetery.* 

Comrades, until within the past few days, I had expected 
our old commander, Capt. William A. Arnold, to be present 
with us on this occasion. Instead of coming, however, he has 
sent a communication giving an account of the battery's doings 
on the eventful days of July 2d and 3d, 1863, wishing it to be 
read at the dedication of the battery's memorial, and 1 will 
accordingly read it. 

CAPT. ARNOLD'S REMINISCENCES. 

To the Surviving- 31embers of Baltery A, First R. I. Light 
Artillery, that meet on the historical field of Getlijshirrg- 
to dedicate a monument erected on the ground occujiied 
bjj the Battery on the 2d and 3d of July ^ 1863. 

I assumed command of Battery A on the 13th of December, 
1862, in the streets of Fredericksburg, Va., the battery being in 
the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, and always renuiined 
in that grand old corps. The company and myself were com- 



* The bodies of the following named Rhode Island dead are buried in the Natfonal Ceme- 
tery at Gettysburg, viz : 

1 Charles Powers, Co. C, 2d K. I. Vols. 8 John Greene, Bat. 15, 1st R.I.L.A. 

2 Patrick Lonnegau, Bat. A, Ist R.I.L.A. : 9 David B. King, " 

3 John Higgins, " " \ 10 Ira Bennett. 

4 John Zimnila, " " | " William Beard, Bat. E, 

5 Corp. Henry H.Ballou, Bat. B, " 12 Francis II. Martin, 

6 Alfred G. Gardner, " " 13 Alvin Hilton, 

7 Corp. William Jones, " " ' 1^ Ernest Simpson, " 

5 



31 iniODK ISLAM) KXCLUSION TO (IKTTYSlSUKt; . 

parative strangers to cacli other. Confidence was established 
between us in that l)attle, and as far as 1 know, that eonlidencc 
was never impaired. As is well known to you, Gen. Hooker suc- 
ceeded Gen. Burnside in command of the Army of the Potomac. 
Shortly after Gen. Hooker took command he issued an order 
for the inspection of the entire army. Batteries that passed 
an Al insjiection would be allowed one officer and five pri- 
vates leave of absence at the same time. Battery A came 
within the list, and it always maintained that high reputation. 
The army left the front of Fredericksburg, Va., to find the 
enemy. They were found at Gettysburg. The battle of the 
first day of July took place while we were at Taneytown, Md. 
As is well known, Gen. Hancock was sent forward to Gettys- 
\n\Y<y. Gen. Gibbon took temporary command of the corps. 
We moved that night to within a few miles of the field. The 
battery was assigned to the division of Gen. Alex. Hays, and 
arrived upon the field with that division at daylight on the 
morning of the 2d. It was supported by the First Delaware 
and Fourteenth Indiana infantry regiments. Battery I, First U. 
S. Artillery, commanded by Lieut. Woodruff , was on the right, 
and Battery A, Fourth U. S. Artillery, commanded by Lieut. 
Gushing, was on the. left. Both of those gallant young officers 
were killed. The battery was on the ridge to the left of the 
cemetery, and immediately in front of Gen. Meade's head- 
quarters, which were on the Taneytown road. It kept that 
position during the two days and until the battle was over, 
and then withdi-ew badly shattered, to make room for a fresh 
l)attery, the ammunition being entirely exhausted. The 
moiiiing of the 2d was rather quiet; some artillery firing. 
About midway between the position of the battery and the 
enemy was the Emmetsburg road, on both sides of which 
were fences. The rebel skirmishers, under cover of the fences, 
jncked ott' some of the men of the centre section, about dis- 
abling the right gun of that section. I asked to have our 
.skirmish line withdrawn. When done, several rounds of 
canister were fired at the fences. No further trouble was 
experienced from fliat quarter. There was more or less ar- 



RIIODK ISLAND KXCUKSION TO C KTTVSl;ll;(; . .ii) 

tilleiy work (liiriiio- tho day, we blowing' up a caisson of Hk- 
enemy in our front. The advance of the Third Corps caused 
the most desperate fighting. Battery A, from its position, 
took its part. The morning of the third was (piiel and omin- 
ous. In tlio forenoon it was noticed that artillery shots came 
from new places in the enemy's line, shots Iteing fired to 
get the range. The fact was, they expected to destroy our 
batteries, preparatory to a charge of their infanlry. This 
was not accomplished. Suddenly, about 11. oU or 12 o'clock, 
they opened from all thcnr guns on the Second and Third Coi'ps, 
to which we all replied. This lasted about one hour, and 
nothing was ever heard like it before, or in after battles. The 
men of Battery A sprang to their guns and did their ))art in 
a noble manner. During this time we lost most of our men 
and horses. It was a terrible ordeal, but bravely borne. The 
firing of the enemy suddenly ceased when we ceased firing, 
and, as the smoke rose from the field, it was seen that the 
enemj' were advancing their infantry on a charge. Three 
lines of infantry emerged from the woods. As they arrived 
out on the open field it was a beautiful sight, and one ever to 
be remembered. They caine as if on parade, with the green 
grass, their red battle Hags flying, the sun shining on their 
bayonets, the officers riding up and down behind the lines to 
keep them closed up — a sight never to be forgotten. There was 
not a sound until the first line reached the Emmetsburg road, 
when the guns on Round Top and from the Third Corps played 
upon their right flank, and we all gave them a fire in front. 
This flank fire caused them to crowd to the left, and the whole 
force of the charge came upon the second corps. Their lines 
did not look as pretty from the Emmetsburg road up. The 
enemy met with a crushing defeat. Battery A was com- 
pletely disabled by the loss of men and horses, and much 
material destroyed, and taken from the field. 

The faces of all men on that field were very noticeable with 
an expression of determination on them to do or die right there. 
They did do, and many died right there. The enemy met with 
a repulse from which they never recovered. 



?iC> 1{II<>1>K ISLAM) KXcrnsION TO (iKTTVSBUHG. 

After all was over, the next day or two, I was directed to 
take the material from Battery A, Fourth United States Ar- 
tillery, the men and horses from Battery B, First Rhode Is- 
land, to put the l>attery into movinu- condition. This was done, 
and the hattery performed its part afterwards. It was a fa- 
voiite with such generals as Couch, Howard, Alex. Hayes, 
Birney, Barlow, Gibbon, and Hancock, the magnificent com- 
mander of the grand old Second Corps, to which we had the 
honor to belong. We all remember Fredericksburg, Gettys- 
burg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor. It is al- 
most impossible to tell the number of engagements and battles 
the battery was engaged in. 

It was enlisted for three years, not during the war. The 
term of enlistment expired at Cold Harbor, Va., on the 6th 
of June, 1864. It was kejtt up to the extreme front until 
almost the last hour of its enlistment. The battery — what 
was left of it — was turned over to Lieutenant Dwight, and I 
started for Providence with fifty-three men, all that remained 
of 150 originally enlisted. During the time that I commanded 
the battery, from December, 1862, to the muster out in 1864, 
not one man died from disease. The men lost were killed in 
battle, a record to be proud of. I often wonder how many of 
the fifty-three men that came home with me, are alive to-day, 
and how many have i)assed over the river to join their com- 
rades that went before. We are all growing older, and in a 
few years none will be left to tell the tale, but this monument 
will last as long as gianite will stand to i)erpetuate the mem- 
ory of those who fought and died there to save their country 
in its extreme j)eril ; and when we are gone it will be a blessed 
history to hand down to our children. 

The State of Rhode Island is a small one in tei'ritorial 
limits, but it did not have a small place in the war, and by 
the erection of these monuments on the field of Gettysburg 
she takes a position with the larger States, and the care which 
she took of her soldiers makes one proud to be a native of the 
State. 

1 icgret exceedingl}- that I shall not be able to be with you 



RIIODK ISLAND EXCURSION To (iKTTYSIUim;. .'^7 

on the meniorablo occasion, Iml 1 leave it in tlie liamLs of the 
old comrades who were always hiaxc and true, and it will In; 
well done. 

The following address w'as prepared for the occasion hy Mr. 
William D. Child, who served as a i)rivate in Battery A at the 
battle of Gettysburg-, though lack of time prevented its de- 
livery. 

Mr. Chairman., dwirar/es and Friends of Battery A : 
The field of Gettysburg is still a ground which cannot be trod 
without emotion. 

Although a genei-ation of men has come ui)on the stage 
since the events wliich have j)laced the name of this l)eautiful 
Pennsylvania borough in histoi'y as the scene of one of the 
most terrific and sanguinary battles of the world, to be men- 
tioned as long as the names of Thermopylae, of Balaklava, or 
of Waterloo, are spoken, and perhaps beyond, for history will 
not forget that the emancipation and freedom of a race was a 
grand and controlling factor in that problem, yet to you, 
comrades, who come to this field now for the first time, to 
you, the cycle of whose years has doubled and commenced its 
second course since those mighty events which gave to you 
and yours forever a share in its glory, tell me, does there not 
crowd upon the memory a train of thoughts so tender, so 
proud, and yet so vivid, that they seem like the events of a 
year but just agone ? 

To the soldier who escaped its perils, and to the student of 
history wdio understands in the light of events the conditions, 
which obtained on both sides the bayonet guarded line, of the 
reasonable rising hopes of that monstrous fallacy of secession, 
and of the still hopeful but well-nigh discouraged loyalty of 
the North, the mention of this field recalls not only a vivid 
picture of heroism and of terror, but of a period in the history 
of that tremendous four years' struggle, when the opposing 
theories represented by the two contending hosts, who met 
almost by accident here — theoiies which had long since passed 



88 RII()I»K ISLAND F.XOCUSIOX TO GETTYSBrRG. 

l)eyond the doinaiii of statcsinaiiship — liad been relegated to 
the hist dread arbiti'aiiient of the sword, and upon this spot 
between two giganlie armies ahnost equal in numbers, both 
ably marshalled, were to lind, the one, either an opening 
grave or the liist tangible sign of a resurreetion morn. 

A just eonception of the battle of Gettysburg, with all its 
momentous consequences for weal or woe to the cause we 
loved, cannot be had without considering the salient points, 
at least, of the immediate causes which led thereto. It may 
be doul)ted if this republic of ours, since its birth 'mid the 
throes of war, e'er saw a darker hour than that which pre- 
ceded the dawn of the first of July, '63. You are all familiar 
with that history, and I shall speak but briefly thereon, from 
the private soldier's standpoint. 

Two years and more had elapsed since the first three years' 
contingent had taken the field and commenced the mighty 
preparation of drill and discipline which was destined in the 
later and closing years of the struggle to permeate the mass 
like an inspiration, while of the original, whose names were 
borne upon the rolls, but a small fraction remained. The 
heroes and the victims of the early "Bull Run" had all but 
lost their identity as such, and the Army of the Potomac had 
been l)orn. 

A soldier from the West had been summoned to its com- 
mand, and no lover ever transferred his allegiance of mind 
and soul to the object of his hrst passion more wholly and 
with more honest purpose than did that army tender to him 
its devotion and its blood. To it and to him was entrusted 
at first the protection of our own capital, and later the sub- 
jection of the capital of the Confederacy, — a complex and 
gigantic duty, — and history will tell how it was performed. 

On Washington's birthday, 1862, the army strikes its tents, 
and then commences a series of five chapters in its history, 
namely : the peninsular campaign, the Pope defeat, the 
scmi-vict(jr} of Antictam, the failure of Fredericksburg, and 
the blunder at Chancellorsville, all written in letters of blood, 
and, with one possilile excepiion, all covered with the pall of 



KIIODK ISLAND KXCIIRSION To (iK ITVSl'.Uin; . ')9 

defeat. Meanwhile at home the voluntary oulislniciits h.-iil slop- 
ped, and the wheel of the draft-box had eoniiiieneed. Coppc-i-- 
headism, now beconung rampant, had just shown its teeth at 
Springfield, 111. (June, '68,) in a convention r('i)rcsenting 
half a million of men, whose sworn and bounden duty it was 
to deter enlistments, to encourage desertions, and in every 
possible manner to chock the wheels of Federal success, 
whether in the field, the senate chandler, or the streets of our 
cities and hamlets, every one of which, almost, had sent its 
representative to the front. 

Wherever men congregated its hideous counsels were 
heard, and broken-hearted mothers and gray -haired fathers 
went back to their homes with the despair born of the mo- 
mentary thought that i»erhaps their sacrifices had been in 
vain. 

Our letters from home did not betray this, thanks and 
honor to the hands and hearts that could write through their 
burning tears those epistles so full of faith, and hope, and 
love. Who shall say what was their effect upon this sanguine 
field ? and, to them, does there not belong a part of its glory 'i 

Aside, then, from these letters from home, sometimes in- 
terrupted for w^eks, but always acting like a tonic when re- 
ceived, there w^as not much encouragement to be found in a 
review of the past. We had seen regiments and companies 
about us decimated by one-half and more of their numbers ; 
we looked in vain foi- many familiar faces, whether he were a 
commander or a messmate ; and for thousands of these al)- 
sentees, the graves which marked our paths from the Poto- 
mac to the Pennsylvania line, alone could answer. 

Within a period of ten months the fourth commander of 
the army in regular succession had given way to the fifth, 
and now in the presence of a buoyant and exultant enemy, 
wdiom, to use a very mild term, we had grown to respect. 

One of Gen. Meade's initial orders concludes with this sen- 
tence : " Corps and other commanders are authorized to 
order the instant death of any man who fails in his duty this 
hour." 



10 KIIOUK ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

Upon wliat liypothesis can the lanuuage of tliis sentence be 
based otlier than that he and his advisers with the govern- 
ment at Washington felt and knew that, in the impending 
struggle, it was tlien or never for tin; army of the Potomac, 
and all that hinged thereon ? Did that army ever before re- 
ceive such an order ? Did it ever afterwards? Not that the 
speaker remembers or can find. Is the deduction, then, in 
the premises, not perfectly fair which concludes that, with the 
highest authorities, the conviction had obtained, that as that 
army answered for itself on this field, so would history an- 
swer for the preservation or dismemberment of the Union. 
Gen. Lee and his advisers, in contemplating the practicability 
of this invasion, had taken all these considerations and many 
more into the account. There were evidences to them that 
the time had arrived for the Confederacy to strike but one 
more determined and successful blow uj)on the all but faint- 
ing head and theory of popular government. Let them but 
plant their banners at Philadelphia, with its stores and trea- 
sure, and Washington be cut off by bayonet line from its 
])00j)le at the North, when out from Baltimore would come to 
their relief thousands of armed men who were waiting sul- 
lenly, but hopefully, for the hour. 

New York city, which at the behest of secession had already 
had the proposition of withdrawal from the Union and es- 
tablishing lierself as a free city, made through the person of 
its mayor (Fernando Wood), was now wrangling over the 
constitutionality of the draft, and, if we may believe our own 
conclusions, was ready at that moment for anything which 
promised its withdrawal. Foreign complications were trying 
the mettle and genius of our state-craft. England, the pow- 
erful, and France, the boastful, waited with undisguised im- 
patience for the hour of our doom to strike, while the enemies 
of the republic everywhere rejoiced in the belief that its dis- 
solution was at hand. With the commencement of the year 
the edict of emancipation had gone forth from the hand and 
heart of that noblest soul of all the [)roductions of those 
troublous times. To it and its ultimatum our army stood 



RHODI': ISLAND KXCUKblON TO (IKTTY.SHUUtr. 41 

committed. It was for them now to write with tlieir swoi-ds, 
their bayonets, and their lanyards, wliat the <2:reat Lincohi iind 
written with the pen. Its immortality hin^^cd not more on 
its conception than on its supi)ort ; its realization now de- 
pended on the fate of battles. In the months and years of 
war through which we had just passed, (here had ol)taiued lo 
some extent thi'onghout the army an aversion to any measure 
of this kind. This aversion had l)ecn outspoken l)y one of its 
commandci'S, had been shared by some of his subordinates, had 
entered into their councils, had acted as the dead-weight about 
their necks in more tiian one campaign, and, in the oi)inion of 
the speaker, had contributed largely to more than one defeat. 
Have we not the spectacle of a commander dictating from 
the field, by the midnight lamp, messages of advice upon this 
subject to Washington, and while those messages were being 
studied and written, his opponent was preparing against his 
army a campaign from the toils of which it barely escaped ? 
But, thank God, this sentiment did not appreciably affect the 
rank and file ; and, at the period of which we speak, its bale- 
ful element had been largely, if not entirely, eliminated from 
its councils, and the caps of liberty upon the staffs of our 
regimental fliigs stood, for one and all, as no longer the em- 
blems of an idle and groundless dream, but as the symbols 
of an enunciated and living fact. If we succeeded, it would 
live the pride and boast of all coming time ; if we failed, it 
would find a grave amid the common wreck. 

And now Gen. Lee and his lieutenants, with every external 
reason for hopefulness of success, sanguine of their own abil- 
ity, with no shadow of doubt of the constancy of the ragged 
and dirty, but devoted divisions which they led, knowing that 
in some instances their soldiers had come to hold in derision 
"the Army of the Potomac, which now alone could bar their 
progress and wake them and their cause forever from their 
dream of disunion, had started out to carry the war into the 
North, and the recognition of their cause in Europe. Says 
one writer : '' The future of America was about to be decided 
forever." 



42 RUODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

A few days after the vanguard of that invading host had 
crossed the Rappahannock on the right of our camps at Fal- 
mouth, and, in light marching order and with lighter hearts, had 
sped on well towards the North, Gen. Hooker puts his columns 
in motion, and, at route step, always the order when a long jour- 
ney was before it, the Army of the Potomac takes up again its 
task of protecting its own capital and beating back an invasion. 
Analyze that task, if you can ; measure its breadth, sound its 
depth ! Only the plummet of the Almighty can reach the 
limit. That army comprised a mass — that mass composed of 
units, every one of those units representing a human heart, a 
human soul, living, breathing, hoping, loving, to whom the 
name of home and loved ones was as dear, to many the prattle 
of w^hose children was as sweet, and to one and all the desire 
for life as strong and controlling as are any or all these senti- 
ments to this company to-day. That army, that mass, those 
units had now become, for the time being, at least, the forlorn 
hope of its government ; with their bayonets and their bosoms 
they were to form the last bulwark of defence between the 
loyal cities of the North, with their industries, their wealth, 
their homes, their altars and their firesides, and the hitherto 
victorious arms of Lee. 

Do you comi)rehcnd the meaning of that task ? In a mea- 
sure, yes ; but words fail and become impotent in the jn'osence 
of the facts towards which that oft-defeated army now, with 
resolute step and determined visage, wends its way. Dante, 
Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, and Carlyle, have, each in his own 
way, written of battle scenes ; all have brought their wonder- 
ful and varied power of language to bear in reciting the phy- 
sical transaction ; but which of these has ever depicted the 
mental phase, or what is felt 'mid the shriek of shrapnel and 
the whiz of lead ? Go, read them, you soldiers of twenty 
battles, and see if even these masters of delineation have told 
all that is experienced 'mid the noise and confusion, the roar 
of aitillery, the crash of small arms, the struggle of death, 
thi- h(MiJorrhag»3 (jl' friends, the beseeching look for assistance 
which you cannot give, and the thousand sickening details of 



RHODE ISLAND KXCURSION TO fiKTTVSr.lIU;. 13 

a fio-lit. Men have come out from these scenes without the 
vestige of a physical bruise, but with mental lialance gone, 
reason dethroned. Physical science teaches that 'tis l)ut a 
step, but a hair's breath, but a feather's weight, between sane 
and insane ; but who has ever told what a man may suffer 
before that weight is changed ? 

We left our camps in front of Fredericksburg and the near 
vicinity of Chancellorsville, without regret, for, saving the 
graves of comrades tried and trne, there was notliing there 
that did not incite a shudder, aiul, wliile we knew instinct- 
ively that the campaign upon which we were just entering 
could not be closed without a fearful struggle, yet the pre- 
dominant feeling was, anywhere, but there, for the next trial 
of arms. 

The march of the Second Corps, with the soldierly Hancock 
in command, over long and circuitous routes, sometimes in 
battle line, sometimes en masse, fording rivers and ascending 
hills, always on the watch as one "who peers into th(^ darkness 
for the foe he knows is there, is without special interest in 
'this narrative, till a point near Taney town, in noi'thern Mary- 
land, is reached on the 30th of Jane, at night. We had 
scarcely resumed our march of the morning, before the sound 
which we had been for days expecting to make or to hear, 
was borne upon our ears — that sound, which once heard can 
never be mistaken, of continuous and increasing artillery 
fire ; and, although it was miles away, its volume was por- 
tentous. Quickly and instinctively the ranks of the sturdy 
infantry close up, gunners look to their pieces as they have 
done a score of times before, though, excepting a sponge 
bucket may need refilling, there is notlung to be done to pre- 
pare them for the fray. 

At eleven o'clock the hamlet of Taneytown is reached, where 
the Second Corps is briefly halted, for, at this stage, the plan 
of battle, which the next few hours was to develop, had not 
yet had its birth, and in obedience to orders we were not hur- 
ried to the front. During this halt we hear of the death of 
Gen. Reynolds, and we know that one of our ablest and best 



44 UHODK ISLAND KXCL'KSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

has forever sheathed his sword. With this sad news there 
also comes the wildest rumors of disaster at the front — of the 
First Corps and Buford's Cavalry fairly enveloped by a cloud 
of Confederates, befoi'e whom they are stubbornly giving 
ground. 

We knew that splendid First Corps and those equally brave 
horsemen, and, if they were giving ground before an enemy 
wlumi they had met, it was evidence conclusive that Gen. Lee 
had commenced, if he liad not already effected, the coucen- 
tration of his troops. The probability of this conclusion, and 
of the rumors which were rife, was constantly enhanced by 
the ever-increasing battle-sound, which tells to the now anxious 
minds of both armies that the hour of trial was at hand. 

Gen. Meade, with a retinue, gallops not hastily along the 
road to where our headquarter flag is seen, and there, with 
Hancock, occurs a conference, the import of which all the 
world knows. " Go to the front, General, assume command 
of the field in my name, bring order, if you can, out of chaos, 
if chaos there exists, and report to me promptly the feasibility 
of concentration there !" Gen. Hancock enters an amlnilance 
instead of the saddle, that he may have better opportunity 
of studying his ma})s and plans, while he is driven rapidly 
toward the point where danger thickens. Immediately the 
weary feet of the Second Corps are moved battle-ward, and 
the tired soldier takes heart, for this is the man of whom 
Gen. Grant, within a few years, has said that he " never knew 
him to make a mistake." 

You have already listened to an historical address by Lieut. 
Benjamin H. Child, whose triple battle-scars from Bull Run, 
fr(jm Antietam, and finally, and all but fatally, from this once 
shot-torn ground upon which we now stand, so mutely entitle 
him to speak in this glad and sad reunion hour ; also to a 
brief ])apcr prepared by Capt. Wm. A. Arnold, reciting in 
modest \v<jrds the jjart his company boi-e on this event ful 
field — Capt. Arnold, whose name we ha\c so proudly inscribed 
on this monumental stone, whose cool, intelligent bravery 
amid those trying hours lent accui-acy to the gunners' aim, 



RIIODK ISLAND KXOlh'SION TO OKITYSini!*!. 45 

while it imparted strength to the arm and hojic to the hearts 
of his comrades. Woukl that he were with us to-day to speak 
for himself, as, in the name of Rhode Island, we ajiply the fin- 
ishing touch to her history in that great drama ; to speak not 
as once at the head of this company he si)oke across these 
fields, carrying death and dismay to countrymen, but rather 
in the spirit which eighteen centuries ago prompted the great 
Nazarenc, when he taught of "Peace on eai'lh and goodwill 
to men." 

One single thought and I have finished. ' Said Lord Nelson 
by signal flag to his fleet at Trafalgar, as clearing thpir decks 
for action they bore down on the French and Spanish Armada : 
" England expects that every man will do his duty." Was that 
expectation realized ? Let her proud and unquestioned supi-em- 
acy of the seas from that hour to this very day, make answer ! 
Capt. Arnold has told us that every man of his company did 
his duty on this field. This statement will apply with equal 
force to the soldiers of every loyal State whose rei)resenta- 
tives were here. What more did Rhode Island or her sister 
States ask of their sons ? What more did their government 
expect of its soldiers ? Were these expectations realized ? 
Go ask of the thirteen undivided stripes u|)on yon cemetery 
flag as it keeps its solemn watch and guard over the bivouac 
of its dead upon this field — this field which witnessed pei'haps 
one of the grandest exemplifications of American valor it ever 
beheld ! Go ask of that untarnished field of blue with its star 
for every State, old and new, — some of whom, though once 
estranged in their affections, now join with glad and happy 
hands in the grand confederation of liberty and union ! Go 
ask of the shackles, mental and physical, which were broken 
upon this and a hundred other fields ! Go ask of the Afric 
mother, who to-day owns her babe and whose l)ack the lash 
of arrogant idleness no longer scars ! Go ask of the many 
great questions of state and polity which came up thi-ough the 
regenerating intluences of that awful baptism of blood, washed 
and cleansed forever ! 



46 nnoDK island kxcuksion to Gettysburg. 

The pai'ty'tlicn ])roccedcd to the memorial of Batteiy B, 
where the services were continued as follows : 

ADDRESS BY MR. JOHN DELEYAN, 

Who Skuved as a Private in Battery B, at the Battle of 

Gettysburg. 

31r. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, and my old Comrades 
of Ihe War : 

I feel more like sitting down and bowing my head and let- 
ting memory take its sway at this time and place, than in at- 
tempting to speak. Although the surroundings and the face 
of the country have a familiar look, still there seems to be 
something missing, which memory all the while is trying to 
fill with regiments, brigades, divisions, batteries, and all the 
paraphernalia of the grand old Army of the Potomac engaged 
in desperate battle. I find it very difficult to realize the pres- 
ent while the recollections of the past crowd themselves in 
serried columns, as it were, on the mind. At the first glance 
backward it seems hardly possil)le that twenty-three years and 
upwards have been added to our lives since our first visit to 
tliis spot, when we marched u}) in column across those fields 
to take our ])osition in line and share with the old Second 
Corps the destinies of battle, and also to secure a spot for this 
monument. It is but natural that a small company like ours, 
continually in the face of danger, should become intimately 
acquainted with one another and as strongly attached as one 
family under one roof, for we had shared alike together the 
dangers and excitement of battle and skirmish, the suffering 
of hunger and thirst, the fatigues of the long and tedious 
march by day and by night, in sunsliine and rain, the longing 
for buiuc ;iii(l b)ved ones, and often in the lone hours of night, 
when on i>ost, we would meet at the end of our beats and 
converse in low tones of our homes, and tell to one another 
GUI- i)huis and what we intended to do if we lived to arrive 
safe at home. Many of them never lived to enjoy the realiza 
tion of their cherisiied plans and desires, but have passed 



RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO OETTYS15UKG. 47 

liciicc on this and other fieUls, or fi-oni lin^^ei-iiiLi: disciisc, or 
from wounds I'cccived. I foci that we, the survivors, have 
much to be thankful for, that we have Ijoen spared from the 
sad casualties of war, and our hearts should he filled with 
gratitude to a kind Providence which has guided our marches 
by day and by night, and permitted us to gather here after so 
many years. As I stand on this sacred spot, I cannot help 
comparing the occasion of tliis visit with that of (jur first visit 
so many years ago. We have a duty to j)erf(^rni to-day ; we 
had a duty to perform then ; but what a vast difference in 
these duties ! To-day we arc here to dedicate the monuments 
contributed by the State of Rhode Island in grateful rec(jgni- 
tion of our services in this desperate battle. Well might 
Rhode Island be proud of her soldiers, for they fought side 
by side with the best troops of other States, and have met in 
battle array the choicest troops of the Confederacy, and on no 
field, under no circumstances, has the honor of Rhode Island 
suffered at their hands, especially her artillery. We are here 
to-day to dedicate this monument, sacred to the memory of 
our unfortunate and revered comrades who fell at this place, 
dying in the full vigor of manhood. Death, under the most 
favorable circumstances, is terrible to contemplate ; but to the 
soldier on the field of carnage — torn, mangled, bleeding, dying 
in the full vigor of manhood and health, witli all the bright 
prospects of future glory blotted out forever I 0, how my 
heart throbbed in agony as I saw them fall on this field I — 
comrades whom I had associated with for nearly two years, 
sharing with them the dangers of other fields, sharing to- 
gether our scanty rations, drinking from the same canteen, 
and gathered around the camp-fire they told me their lives, 
their hopes, read to me their loving letters from home. Cruel, 
cruel war ! I feel that we are here to-day to dedicate this 
monument to the memory of Battery B, the pride of our 
hearts, and the grandest, choicest recollections of our lives. 
Battery B was mustered in at Providence, Aug. loth, 18151, 
for the period of three years, and proceeded immediately to 
Washington, where we went into (puirters at Camp Sprague, 



48 KIIODK ISLAND KXCUKSION TO GKTTYSBDRG. 

and received our guns and horses. Then we marched to 
Poolesville, Md., near where we had our first fight, the dis- 
astrous battle of Ball's Bluff, and lost one gun and nearly a 
whole gun detachment. In the spring of '62 we took part in 
the capture of Winchester under Gen. Banks, after which we 
proceeded to Washington, where the battery joined the forces 
of Gen. McClellan, and took a very active part in the siege of 
Yorktown and the rest of the campaign. Then came South 
Mountain, Antictam, first and second Fredericksburg, lu the 
fii'st battle of Fredericksburg we were ordered into what we 
termed a forlorn hope. I will make a short mention of it 
here. It was the 13th day of December, the day of the hard 
fighting. We were in reserve until uear night, when we were 
ordered to report to Gen. Howard, who commanded a division 
of the Second Corps. We moved to the front, to the edge of 
the city, and found Gen. Howard watching the battle. I 
heard him tell our captain that he was about to order a charge 
on the cnen)y's works, and it was necessary for a smooth-bore 
battery to go up first and to fire rapidly, not stop to cut fire, 
l)ut to create a cloud of smoke to hide the troops and to give 
them courage. And then he said : " Capt. Hazard, 1 do not 
expect you to come out — with your guns, at least." The 
battery dashed in. Our loss was heavy for the length of time 
we were engaged. The charge was repulsed. The battery 
took a part in the second battle of Fredericksburg, and had 
the pleasure of assisting in the capture of the heights. At 
this battle the section to which I belonged fought a duel with 
a section of the famous Confederate Washington Artillery. 

One day in June we received oi'dcrs to pack up and be 
ready to move at night, but not to strike tents till dark, as 
we were camped in sight of the enemy across the river. 
When it became dark our tents were struck, and then com- 
menced our march for Gettysburg. But we were not then 
aware of our destination. We marched nearly all night, 
forming lines of battle so as to be prepared to receive the 
enemy if they should attempt to follow. The next day was 
very hot, and it told on us, as we had had no sleep the night 



KHODK isr.ANi) KxcuKsioN To < ; i/nvsruijo. 49 

before, Miul wc had I)Ccu caiu|>iim- willi shades (jver iis. In 
the afternoon the road was strewn with the dead and dying 
from the effects of the sun. Our corps had a skiiinish at 
Thorouglifarc Gap on our way, after which we crossed the 
Potomac into Maryhvnd, near Lcesburg, in (he vicinity of our 
first battle, Ball's Bluff. On we went through roolesville irdo 
Pennsylvania. We now began to nuderstand Ihc intent of 
the enemy, and our greatest anxiety was, — VVoidd wc Ijc in 
time? 1 remember the anxious look of the residents along 
our route in Pennsylvania, as they came running to the road- 
side — men, women, and children. After noon on July 1st, 
we heard distant firing of artillery, and, as wc reached the 
top of a hill, we saw away in the distance the smoke of battle. 
Then we knew the Army of the Potomac Avas in time. At 
dark we arrived near the field. The Second Corps threw 
themselves down to rest and sleep. Poor, weary men I the 
next night many of them will sleep the eternal slecj). The 
next morning we started for the front line. As we marched 
across those fields, there were columns at the right of us, and 
columns at the left of us. One thing, in particular, I ol)- 
served, that on other similar occasions there would be more 
or less cheering and other demonstrations of enthusiasm, but 
on this occasion, everyone appeared dumb, silent, stern. It 
might have been from the effects of their long and fatiguing 
march, but to me it seemed that they realized the great im- 
portance of the issues at stake in the coming battle. Behind 
us were our homes and all we held dear ; above us, the starry 
flag, which, next to Heaven, we most revered ; in front of us, 
our old adversary, the gallant Army of Northern Virgijiia, 
with its skillful leader, and its bravest and most experienced 
corps commanders, flushed with the knowledge of previous 
victories, and joyous in expectations of present success. Be- 
tween the two armies, on an open field and no favors, nearly 
equal in numbers, there was about to take place a struggle of 
giants, on the issue of which hung the destiny of this conti- 
nent. Well might the soldier of the Army of the Potomac 
be silent and thoughtful. 



50 KlIODE ISLAND KXCUUSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

The battery occupied three positions on this field ; first, in 
the morning, at our left and front, where you see those shocks 
of corn, but we were not engaged there, but moved to the 
right, and taking position on that small ridge in front of the 
line of battle and forming a spur from the main line, facing 
at right oblique, but firing left oblique — a very tiwkward ])Osi- 
tion, especially for the left of the battery, as when our skir- 
mishers were drawn in, which was the case, our left flank 
would be in the air. As we went into position here, we ob- 
served the chimneys, and roofs, and steeples of a village at 
our right and front. We asked what town it was, and soon 
word was passed, — Gettysburg ! We had never heard of such 
a place before, but, soon, thousands of hearts, North and South, 
would throb in anguish at the mention of Gettysburg. 

I will relate some of the incidents of our share of the second 
day's battle, as I saw it. I was gunner of the left gun, the 
farthest from the main line. The sergeant of our gun ob- 
served, as he dismounted, that he hoped this would be the 
wickedest old fight the battery was ever in. He had his wish 
gratified, and it was the sergeant's last fight in Battery B. 
The ground had recently been plowed, and made a good posi- 
tion for our guns in action, as they could not recoil. The 
sun shone hot, and there was no shade. For a long time we 
stood or reclined around our guns, waiting the opening of the 
Book of Fate. The enemy's sharpshooters crawled up in our 
front, and made targets of us. One of them closed one of his 
eyes on me, and the bullet passed between my arm and body. 
Near four o'clock there was a movement at our left, which 
caused us to sj)ring to our feet. .The Third Corps was mov- 
ing to the front. As our position was, we had to face partly 
to the rear to see them. It was one of the grandest sights I 
ever witnessed. They did not move in line of battle, but in 
a solid mass. The sun shone on bright guns, and glistening 
bayonets ; and the waving colors, and their steady, compact 
movements made a picture of dazzling beauty. We were sur- 
l)rised at this movement, for we did not expect to be the at- 
tacking pai-ty. The boys said to one another, — Tiiey cannot 



KllOniC IST.ANI) KXCHHSION TO f;i:ri'YSI'.UH(;. 51 

go far ill that direction before they ^vill strike a snag. Soon 
from the edge of the woods in their front came jjiiffs of smoke, 
then, bang ! bang ! Soon there was a commotion in the Thii'd 
Corps, and in a few moments they were liotly engaged. From 
where we stood we could look over them, and sec the enemy 
emerge from the woods, and they came on gallantly, fii-iiig 
as they came. We could see them close in on the left Hank 
of the Third Corps. We saw Gen. Meade and staff dashing 
out to them, and saw the enemy fire on him from the left. 
Then we knew it was all day with the Third. Soon a regi- 
ment broke, then a brigade, then a division ; then it appeared 
that the whole corps was in full retreat, coming back. J Jut 
what a difference from their going out ! The disaster to the 
Third Corjis filled us with dismay and anxiety, as we did not 
know what the result would be, for the enemy were following 
them sharply, and where would the Third stop ? 1 heard 
some of the boys exclaim, "Whipped again !" and it did look 
shaky. A part of our corps (the Second) had already been 
sent to their assistance. There has been much discussion, of 
late, in regard to the disaster to the Third Corps, and to whom 
the blame, if any, should be attached. It is not my purpose 
to quote anybody else's opinion, but to give my own from the 
evidence of my own eyes. It was, and is, my opinion, that 
the disastrous result of the move proved it to have been a 
mistake, and the blame must necessarily be attached to the 
person who ordered it, whether it was the general command- 
ing, or the corporal of the guard. Surely, there should be no 
blame attached to the men in the ranks, for they made no 
mistakes, and disobeyed no orders ; they did the best they 
could, for the old Third was a fighting corps. The best 
troops that ever formed a line could not have withstood that 
front and flank attack. But there was one fortunate circum- 
stance, for, if some officer did blunder, the men in the ranks 
knew enough to retreat when badly beaten, as, if they had 
staid, they would have been annihilated, and the Army of the 
Potomac could not afford to lose so many good lighters at so 
critical a time. 



U2 RllODR ISLAND EXCURSION TO OETTTSBURO. 

Our attention was suddenly called from the Third Corps by 
the rapid discharge of artillery on our right. We about-faced 
and saw at our front, away of^' near the woods, a Confederate 
battle-flag apparently lifting itself up out of the ground, and 
then two rows of heads, and then the shoulders of a long line 
of battle. As yet we had made no move or preparation, but 
stood gazing at them in silence, and well we might, for they 
wore a grand ol)ject to behold. At first we saw them as they 
came up the slope, now their heads, next their shoulders and 
bodies, in a long circling line. There was something terribly 
suggestive in their steady advance, denoting that their visit to 
us was not of pleasure, but purely of business. I suggested to 
the sergeant that we had better prepare for business, as the 
Johnnies were coming for us. The sergeant said, "No, they 
are our men coming in." At that movement a sheet of smoke 
rolled up from them, then a crackling of their rifles, and the 
dirt flew among us. I asked the sergeant if he didn't think 
our men were careless with their guns. Immediately we heard 
our commanding officer shout to us to open on them at once ; 
" They are the enemy !" Instantly the whole machinery of 
the battery was set in motion. A quick opening of am- 
munition chests, a running of powder-monkeys, a whirling of 
sponge staffs — " Ready, fire !" — and, out from the front of 
Battery B, leaped jetting flames ; the sul))hurous smoke envel- 
oped the cannoneers as a cloud of dirt spurted up among the 
enemy from our shots, but it made no impression on them. 
We were using fixed ammunition, firing about five times per 
minute from each gun. We had at first to fire at an eleva- 
tion, Init, as they advanced, we kept de])ressing our pieces till 
at a point-blank. Then the enemy's fire was terrilde. The 
air around us a]i]»cared alive with lead. Once I glanced up 
along the line, while in the fiercest of the fight, and pride 
took the jtlace of fear. It was a sad but glorious sight to see 
how sjdendidly the boys were handling tlic guns. Our smoke 
was rolling back over the main line. There seemed to be a 
constant jetting of flame from the front of the battery. At 
evci') liniltcr some ol' the horses weie down, Ihnincing in the 



UlIODK IST,ANn KXCritSION Tf> r.KTTYSI'.riM.. 'i.S 

agonies of death, but the guns were jumping and roaring, not 
appearing to miss a cog. Every one of tlio hoys seemed to 
he earning his thirteen dollars ])er month. The enemy were 
jiow pilin<i' over the two fences at the road in our front ; the few 
men who were on our left were runniug jiast us, and our loft 
ihuik wns now in the ;iir with no supjtort. Our fire was very 
destructive to the enemy. 1 could see, at every discharge of 
one of our guns, a vacant space apjiear in the enemy's ranks, 
but they would immediately close up, so it was like dropping 
a stone into water. ]>ut on they came, with their slouch hats 
pulled over their eyes, bringing their guns to the shoulder and 
firing. We could see their hands go up and down as they 
loaded as they advanced. They were now sweeping around 
on our left, and at this moment two men were shot at our 
gun, a powder-monkey and the sergeant. The lattei" and I 
were disputing about the management of the gun, when the 
shot struck him. Wc now began to realize that we were in a 
critical i)lacc, and should have been ordered back when the 
troops fell back. If we staid much longer, we would all be 
killed or taken prisoners. We were pleased when wc heard 
the command to limber to the rear. But now came the 
greatest difficulty, to get our gun off, as the enemy were most 
on to us. We had to cease jfiring to hitch on to the gun. 
Those who have been in close quarters in a battery can realize 
what an ordeal it is for the drivers to mount in the saddle 
right in the face of the enemy. I know that two men at this 
time were spilled out of one saddle by the enemy in succes- 
sion, one killed, the other wounded. As the order to limber 
up was given, I shouted to the drivers, who had already 
mounted, to advance. I was standing beside (he trail looking 
over my shoulder to see if we had time. Thei-e were but a few 
yards between the gun and the enemy. But the drivers would 
not come, for all I could do or say. They dashed up to the right 
and hitched on to the next gun, and away. The cannoneers, 
who were standing at the gun, now became diseouiaged and 
ran for the rear, leaving me and the gun. I could not blame 
them, for there was now no jirospect of saving the uun. A 



54 RIIOOK ISLAND EXCrUSION TO GF-TTYSmJUC. 

cIos])air seized me, and I threw myself down 1>esidc the gun 
to share its fate. Tliose drivers tohl me, afterwards, that the 
reason they would not come to the gun was tliat the enemy 
were as close to the gun as they were, which was about eleven 
yards. But the gun was saved for all that. 1 had hut just 
thrown myself down when I heard a rattling of chains. 
Looking up, I saw a limber coming at a dashing gait from the 
wall. Our caissons were in rear of the main line, and as soon 
as the limbers at the pieces became nearly exhausted, those 
of tlie caissons would take their places. This proved to be 
one sent to our ])iece, not knowing that we were ordered out. 
Some of the detachment were retui-ning with it. The limber, 
with its six horses on full run, created a cloud of dust in the 
plowed ground, and had the aj)pearance of a charge. I sprang 
up and glanced at the enemy to see if we would have time to 
limber the gun. I observed that the rebs had come to a halt, 
apparently fixing bayonets, which gave us time, and caused 
them the loss of the gun. All of this did not occupy more 
than one minute. I remember, as the limber dashed up, there 
Avere three of the Fifteenth Massachusetts boys who had been 
fighting on our left and front, but the regiment had retreated. 
The three men came running to us, saying, "For God's sake, 
get this gun out of here, quick !" One of them dropped his 
gun and helped to lift the trail. The other two faced the 
enemy, and discharged their guns in their faces. The gun 
was limbei-ed, the drivers lashed and spurred their horses, 
and away went the gun through the wall fifty yards away. I 
had become completely exhausted. I tried to catch hold of 
the sight of the gun to pull me along, l)ut I missed it and fell 
on my face. The enemy had discovered their mistake and 
were after us. As I reached about half-way to the wall, I 
saw the gun go through. The Sixty-Nintli had been impa- 
tiently waiting for us to get out of the way, so they could 
liave a hand at the rebs. With feelings of despair, I saw 
them thrust the muzzles of their guns across the wall. As I 
looked at the row of dark muzzles pointing down on me, it 
was no pleasant sight. Then came a sheet of liame and 



liHOUK ISLAND K.XCUUSION To (;Kri'V.sr.lK<; . of) 

smoke ; and whiz! euiiie their bullets. Here the poor fellow 
of the Fifteenth Massaehnsetts, who heljted at the trail, fell 
dead at my side. I then thought my days on earth were 
numbered. It seemed to me 1 should die a dozen deaths be- 
fore I could reach the wall. 1 have heard it said that, when 
a person faces certain death, the whole of his past life comes 
instantly before his eyes. I believe it to be a fact, for on this 
occasion I thought I was as good as dead, and I am not 
ashamed to say that the home of my childhood and the dear 
friends of my youth came before my vision, and to me, just 
emei'ging from boyhood to young manhood, life was precious, 
and the thoughts of death terrible. I had but little fear of 
future judgment, for I Ijclieved that my Creator would have 
more mercy on this poor, weary young soldier, who had tried 
his best to do his duty this day, than that screeching, yelling 
mob at my heels. In fi'ont of the wall was a hole about ten 
yards across and reaching within two yards of the wall, and 
about four feet deep in the middle, but tapering up to the 
edge. I was not aware of this place, and as I came to it I 
was blinded by the smoke of the Sixty -Ninth, their fire being 
hot in my face. I fell into this hole, and I lay whore I fell. 
I raised my head to see what station it was, and I discovered 
a man of my detachment reclining on the other side under the 
fire of the Sixty-Ninth. As he saw me he smiled ; I suppose, 
at my coming in, for I did not stand on the order of my com- 
ing, but I just came. The enemy halted here and lay down, 
some of them at the edge of the hole, and fired across. Here 
the two lines were about twelve yards apart, so near that they 
quarrelled as they fought. Every time the Sixty-Ninth fired, 
they accompanied it with a shout. The rebs screamed back. 
I felt confident that the rebs would be defeated, as I knew 
that the Sixty-Ninth would not give in, for they told us when 
we took our position that they would protect us while they had 
a man left, and gallantly they redeemed their promise. There 
were other troops engaged, but the Sixty-Ninth were our spe- 
cial support. The survivors of Battery B will always carry 
in their hearts a grateful remembrance of the brave Irish 



56 lUlOUK ISLAND KXriTKSION TO CKTTYSBUKG. 

Sixty-Xinth i'ciinsylvauia. 1 made up my mind while lying 
there, that, as soon as the rebs were defeated, I would make 
a ilash lor the wall, for there were two rel)s firing across me, 
and they could touch me with their guns. Suddenly the 
enemy ceased firing. 1 jumped up to make a dive for the 
wall, liiit, like Lot's wife, I looked back. Those two rebs 
had got up to run. As they did so, I heard two voices say 

from the wall, "Come in, you sons of !" 1 glanced 

(|iiickly at the wall, and there stood two of the Sixty- Ninth 
with llieir guns at their shoulders, with fingers on the trig- 
gers, their eyes glancing along the barrels. At first I thought 
they had mistaken me, but 1 was so close to them I could 
see one of them was aiming by my right shoulder, the other 
by my left. They had got the drop on those two rebs, wdio 
threw their guns down as if they were hot. We three came 
over the wall together. I found my gun at the rear of the 
Sixty-Ninth. They had given me up for dead, and Billy Jones 
was acting as gunner in my stead. Poor Billy ! he was killed 
the next day. This ended this day's fight. 

It was now evening. I remcml)cr it was a very pleasant 
evening overhead, the moon was shining bright. But it was 
a sickening sight under foot — dead and wounded everywhere. 
There was a detail made from our men to go down on our 
pjosition to take care of any dead, and to secure the harnesses 
of our dead horses. I went with them. I shall never forget 
'the sight. The ground where we fought, and in front, was 
covered with dead. We could tell where our guns stood, by 
the piles of dead horses. I forgot to state that the Sixty- 
Ninth charged after the enemy as I came over the wall. 
They ca])tured several hundred of them, and as they were 
taking them to the rear, they passed through our battery. 
The rebs recognized us, and saluted us with curses loud and 
deep. They swore that if they ever got another chance at us, 
they would cut our hearts out, and there w'ould not be a grease 
sjjot left of our battery. We did not reply to them, for we 
knew that Battery B had stung them, and they were smarting 
fi'om its effects. As our loss in men and horses had been 



KIIODK ISLAND EXCURSION T(J <;KTTVSItI|{(;. 57 

severe, and our rations liad given out the <Uiy l)efore, we ex- 
pected to be relieved, as we knew there were Ijatteries in the 
rear that had not fired a shot ; hut, instead of relief, two of 
our guns were sent to the rear so as to consolidate the men 
on the other four. Instead of rations, ammunition was S(!nt 
to us. That night we slept the sleep of the tired and 
hungry. 

The morning of July 8d found the liattcry on the line of 
artillery, on the left of Cushing's Battery A, of the Fourth 
Regulars, in which Lieut. Milne, of our l^attery, was serving 
for the time being, having been mortally wounded. Here we 
remained all the forenoon, waiting as we did the day Ijeforc, 
not knowing what was in store for us. And well it was that 
we did not know. The enemy kept quiet in our front, except, 
now and then, from different points along their lines, would 
come a shot. They were, unknown to us, placing all their 
artillery in position, and, as a battery came in, it would lire 
a shot to get the range. I would say, it was about one o'clock 
when they opened the " gates of hell," so to speak. At that 
time I was sleeping in the shade of a caisson, and was awak- 
ened by an awful crash. I sprang up. The ground was 
trembling, shells bursting over and among us. Some of their 
shots were ploughing lengthways of the battery, and from 
every direction but the rear, I cannot, nor shall not, attempt 
to describe the horrors of that time. I remember, at first, I 
was completely bewildered. Waking from a sound sleep, I 
ran to the left of the battery to find my gun, forgetting, in 
my excitement, that it was one of the two that had been sent 
to the rear. At that instant I was struck on the left shoulder 
by a piece of shell, which had the effect of waking me up. I 
shall never forget the terrible effect of that artillery fire. 
There were horses with their inwards dragging on the ground. 
In rear of us was a regiment lying on the ground, with their 
guns stuck in the ground by the bayonets. I saw those guns 
flying in the air like ten-pins, and I saw men scooped up in 
the air by the plunging shots. I went to what is now known 



58 UllOUK ISLAND KXCUUSION TO GKTTYSBDRG. 

as the Gottysbui'<^- gun,* where 1 loiiiid Ijilly Junes cutting 
fuses, and I assisted him. We were firing very fast. We 
expended the ammunition at that limber, and then we went 
to the gun and stood near the trail conversing. Bob Wilkin- 
son, who was handling the si)onge-stair,had Ix'comc exhausted, 
and was calling for relief. Billy said, " I will spell Bob," and 
went to his relief. 1 saw that the next gun was minus a 
gunner, and, as that was my rank, 1 went to it. Sergeant 
Hortou was at the trail. 1 had been there but a few miuules 
when there was a crash, and Horton exclaimed, " My God ! 
there goes two of our men !" I gave one look, and became 
faint and sick for a moment. Such a sight 1 never want to 
see again. There sat Gardiner, faced to the rear, with the 
side of his body next to me torn away, his shoulder and arm 
hanging in shreds, his vitals exposed, as he sat dazed. The 
sergeant of the gun ran to him to hear his dying words. 
Gardiner, who was Number Two, had just inserted the charge 
as the enemy's shell came at rather left oblique, striking him 
in the side, and on the side of the face of the muzzle of the 
gun, and exploded. The explosion blew Jones several yards 
to the front, the sponge staff farther on, completely beheading 
him. Jones had just sponged the piece, and was at a reverse, 
waiting for Gardiner to insert the charge. The shell, the part 
of it as it exploded that did not cover the muzzle of the gun, 
passed under it, carrying away a part of the axle. I said I 
felt faint when I saw the effects of that cruel shot. Those 
two men I was very intimate with. While the battery 
was organizing at Providence, Jones and I boarded at the 
same house, and we became very intimate, and during 
the war, uj) to this battle, we were warm friends. He had 
served in the navy, and he gave me my first experience in 
the use of the sabre, with which he was very handy. He 



♦This gun was captured by the enemy the night before, the horses on it having been 
killed just before it arrived at the wall. Tiie gallant .Sixty-Xintb and tlie enemy fought 
desperately for its possession, but the Irishmen wrenched it from the rebels' grasp. The 
gunner of this gun, I am told, did not desert the gun, but lay on the ground beside it while 
the desperate struggle took place. I did not witness the struggle for the guu, although I 
was but a few yards to the right, for I was at that time very busy holding that hole. 



i;M(»i)l', isLANii i:x('(i;sioN lo i;i,rTV8i'.i;i!<;. T)!) 

was a splendid artillcrvmnn, and one of the host shots in I he 
battery. 1 renieniher, llie niuht of onr deparlui-e IVoni l*i-o\i- 
dence on the boat ti-nin, he and I ()ccii|iicd \\\r same seal, and 
as we were hnrryina,' alonu' lo onr new existence, we sat a 
long- time in silence. At lasl, IJilly turned to me and said, 
"Johnny, this is the goinu', l)ut what will Ihc icturninti- he ?" 
Poor Billy! how 1 missed him in tlu; weary months that fol- 
lowed ! Gardiner came to us as a i-eci'int ; I (h) not remem- 
ber at what period, but he had been with us ([uite a long time. 
He was rather i)eculiar, bnt a good, quiet, steady man, per- 
forming his duty conscientiously, very pious, his Bible being 
liis constant companion — a man who feared God, and tried to 
live up to, and practice his belief, in all the excitement and 
temptations of the soldier's life. I would often talk of his 
family, whom he was proud of and had the greatest affection 
for. He carried a small book besides his Bilde, and I ob- 
served that he used it to press flowers in, which did not grow 
at home ; and when he wrote to his wife, which was very often, 
he would send them to her. Sergeant Straight, of the gun on 
which he was killed, was a chum of his, and they tented to- 
gether. I heard that they had promised one another, that if 
either was killed or wounded, the survivor would, if possible, 
come to the fallen one's side. It was Sergeant Straight that 
I saw run to the side of Gardiner to hear his dying words. I 
could see Gardiner's lips move, as if speaking, but I could not 
hear what he said, except the last words, which I heard very 
distinctly ; they were, "Glory halleluia!" After the battle 
the sergeant told me the rest of the sentence. Gardiner told 
him to take his book and Bible, which weie in the side of his 
blouse that was not shot away, and send them to his wife, and 
tell her that he died happy ; then he shouted the words which 
I heard. That was the death of the christian soldier Gar- 
diner. One of the men ran and procured an axe and tried to 
drive the shell down into the gun in order to fire it, as the 
powder was attached to the shell, Imt to no purpose. Another 
shell exploded at the gun, and mortally wounded No. Four, 
John Green. As this piece was now useless, we had but three 



60 RnODK ISI.AXD KXCUKSI()N TO GETTYSBURG. 

left, and no aninninition. Orders came to retire. The battery- 
had difliciilty to find horses enough to haul off the guns and 
caissons. Some had three, some more. One gun, in retiring 
from the field, was swept clean of horses by a shell, and had 
to be left till the batlcry got off the field ; and when they came 
l)nck for it, it was not to be found. Some other battery, 
which had lost a gun, took it. As our officers had neglected 
to keep the numbers of the guns, it was never found. I un- 
derstood that our officers had to pay for it, l)ut the money 
was afterwards refunded. Just before the battery retired, I 
was crippled, so that I could not go at that time, but I knew 
that I would be able to go soon. As I lay on the ground, 
watching the relief batteries going into position, suddenly I 
saw a regiment, which had been lying on the ground near us, 
spring up and grasp their guns, which were sticking in the 
ground by the bayonets, and run to the front. I gave one 
glance in that direction. That one glance was enough for 
me, — the Johnnies were charging. Thinking there was no 
call for me here, as the battery was away, and recollecting 
how I got mixed up in the infantry light the night before, I 
just put after the battery. But, before I got out of hearing, 
I heard the hearty cheering of our men, and I knew the field 
was won. 

I do not remember exactly the number of men we lost 
in the two days' fight. I know our loss in killed was eight 
men, not including Lieut. Milne, who was killed, or mor- 
tally wounded, in Battery A, of the 4th United States. His 
death was a loss to us, and a sad loss. One man was taken 
prisoner. I think about thirty were wounded, among which 
was 1st Lieut. T. Fred. Brown, commanding the battery. Our 
captain, John G. Hazard, was cliief ol artillery of the corps. 
Our loss in horses was very great. One gun was disabled, one 
stolen. The battery was condemned as unfit for duty. The 
surviving men and horses were placed in Battery A, which 
battery had fought gallantly and suffered severely. We were 
with them two or three months. Then we received four guns, 
and IJattery B was itself again. 1 shall always remember 



IJIIODK ISLAM) KXCIKSION To <;i:TTV.S1HK^;. fll 

with uTaliliuk', llic kind and (.'(Hisidcialc treatment of the 
ofTicers and men of IJatterv A towards us poor honieh'ss men 
of Battery B, while we were witli them. 

In coiu'hisioii, 1 wish to thank the ladies and genth^'men 
who have lieen to the troulde and expense of acconi|ianyinir 
us here, and 1 bid them weleome to this saerctl and historic 
spot, the hitih-water mark of the o'rcat rel)cllion. 

Presentation Address i5y Mr. D. Coit Taylor, who serv^ed 
AS AN Artificer in Battery B. 

31r. Kraiith : — And now it becomes my pleasant duty, as 
a representative of the ^^tate and of the battery, to place in 
your keeping- this granite tablet. And may its summit point 
up to Heaven for generations, its base be watered by tlic dews 
of the returning seasons, the sun light up its sides with its 
golden rays, and the tears of angels keep ever green this hal- 
lowed spot, made sacred by the blood of heroes of a common 
and now united country. 

Presentation Address by Lieut. Benj. H. Child, of 
Battery A. 

Mr. Secretary : — I have the pleasure of presenting io the 
Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association, through you, 
this beautiful granite memorial of Battery A, First Rhode 
Island Light Artillery, for its periietual care and protection, 
knowing, as we do, that it is ])laced in good and faithful 
hands, and that it will be well done. 

Response by Secretary Krauth. 

Mr. Chairman, Veterans of Batteries A and B, Ladies and 
Gentlemen : — I can add nothing to what I have already said 
at the memorial of the Second Rhode Island, as to the pur- 
poses and desires of the Association I represent, to carefully 
guard these monuments. The ground on which we stand is 
hallowed and sacred, if there be any ground on the continent 



62 RHODE ISLAND EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG. 

that is so. It was here that tlie Confederate chieftain made 
the last attempt on Northern soil to restore the waning for^ 
tunes of his cause. I think that those men of Rhode Island 
should esteem it a great good fortune to have been on this 
spot at that time, as it was their guns, douhlc-shotted, which 
could repel the enemy from Ihis field. It is especially fitting 
that Rhode Island should have monuments on this field, since 
that ancient commonwealth was the first organized govern- 
ment in the woild to establish impartial religious toleration. 
In conclusion, I assure you that our Association will preserve 
these monuments, and all others upon this field, confided to 
us, from the hand of the spoiler, and that nothing but the 
corroding finger of time shall ever molest or disturb them. 

Benediction by Chaplain Webb. 

The i)arty then returned by train to the station at Gettys- 
burg. 

Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, under the 
guidance of Col. John B. Bachelder, Superintendent of Tablets 
and Legends of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Associa- 
tion, and Government Historian of the Battle of Gettysburg, 
who met the excursion at Harrisburg and accompanied it to 
its destination, the party visited the various points of interest 
on the battlefield, the graphic descrij)tion of Col. Bachelder 
adding greatly to their satisfaction. 

After dinner, at the Eagle Hotel, on Thursday, that being 
the last meal l)ci'ore starting for home, it was unanimously 

Voted, Tfiat the Rhode Island Excursion to Gettysburg, thor- 
ouglily appreciating tlie liindly courtesy of Col. Baclieldcr in ac- 
companying it to its destiuatiou, and how mucli his genial and 
instructive presence has contributed to tlie enjoyment of the occa- 
sion, iieiel)y extend to liiin its most grateful acliuowledgment and 
warmest thanlvs. 

At th(^ same time, a vote gratefully recognizing the services 



KIIODK ISLAND KXCIIIJSION TO CKTrVSItlKt i. 03 

of the Manager, and Rxciirsion Coniniittce,\\'as likewise jiassed. 
In this eunneetion, mention shoiihl he niailc of the foUowinu; 
gentU'inen, to whose eourteoiis attentions tlie Ivxcuision was 
nnder many ol (ligations, viz.: Osnnind 11. Uriugs, (ienei'al 
Passenger Agent, X(>w York, Providence and Boston R. R. Co.; 
Capt. John [I. Alarklcy, Travelling Passenger Agent, Pmiisyl- 
vania R. R. Co.; John 1>. Pagley, (Jeneral Ti-avelling Agent, 
Cinuhei'land Valley K. R. Co.; William 11. Woodward, Sn|>er- 
intendent, llarrisliurg and (letlyshiii'g R. R. Co.; Henry Ving- 
ling, Proi)rietor, and Rufus E. Culp, Chief Clerk, Eagle Hotel, 
Gettyshurg ; Simon J. Diller, Proprietor, McClellan llonse, 
Gettyslmrg ; and John M. Krauth, David Buehler, Col. Charles 
H. Buehler, John L. Schick, and William D. Iloltzworth, Local 
Meml)ers of the Board of Trustees of the Gettyshurg Battle- 
field Memorial Association. 

Thursday aftci'iioon came the departure from Gettyshurg, 
either diix'ctly for home or via such [)oints of interest as in- 
dividual desire dictated. 

At a meeting of the Excursion Committee, held shortly after 
the return, the Chairman was ajjpuinted a committee to pro- 
cure and present to Col. John B. Bachelder, and to the Man- 
ager, Gen. E. H. Rhodes, suitahle testimonials of the Excur- 
sion's appreciation of their services, and accordingly a massive 
bronze thermometer and a silver-plated coffee urn, suitably 
inscribed, were forwarded to the respective parties. The 
chairman, Gen. Horatio Rogers, was appointed a committee 
to prepare a record of the excursion, and to supervise its 
publication. 

Thus ended one of the pleasantest and most successful ex- 
cursions that ever left Rhode Island. 



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LIBRRRY OF CONGRESS 



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